Quinta das Cruzes Museum

"The memories of Quinta das Cruzes intersect with the life and history of the city of Funchal. Documented as the last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, discoverer of Madeira Island, this Madeiran farm represents more than 500 years of the island's history. As a walled space, in the context of a historic and qualified urban fabric, it is by definition a “Madeiran farm”, consisting of a house, chapel, small pleasure houses and landscaped park. The original house is listed as the residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, the first captain-donatary of Funchal, which was later extended by his son, João Gonçalves da Câmara, who is said to have used the craftsmen who worked on the construction of the church of the Convent of Santa Clara, also built under his auspices. The farm remained the residence of the Câmara family until the 17th century, when it came into the possession of another distinguished Madeiran family – the Lomelino family. The origins of this family go back to Urbano Lomelino, a merchant of Genoese origin, whose presence on the island dates back to 1476. During the Lomelino family's stay, until the end of the 19th century, Quinta das Cruzes underwent major changes, particularly with the construction of the arcade on the main façade, the construction of the Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy and, later, the main body of the main building. The foundation of the Quinta das Cruzes Museum began on 19 December 1946, the date on which the Deed of Donation was signed to the General Board of the Autonomous District of Funchal for the entire collection of art objects and antiques belonging to César Filipe Gomes. This document establishes that the aforementioned donation of objects and antiques (furniture, ceramics, goldsmithery, jewellery, miniatures, engravings, paintings, sculpture, carpets, bedspreads, etc.) was made with the express purpose of installing an art museum at Quinta das Cruzes. After a long process of negotiations with the then owners of Quinta das Cruzes (the Miguéis family), this space was acquired by the State in 1948 to create a Museum of Decorative Arts, with the idea of ​​housing the collections of its first donor, Filipe César Gomes. The initial collections were joined by those of João Wetzler and others, as well as several acquisitions. The decorative arts collections cover a variety of areas, such as Painting, Sculpture, Glyptics, Goldsmithing, Jewellery, Ceramics, Drawings, Engravings and Furniture (of Portuguese and foreign origin, particularly English) that date from the 15th century to the first half of the 20th century. In the gardens, you can visit the Orquestrophone, a mechanical musical instrument from 1900, and the Archaeological Park with sculptural elements dating from between the end of the 15th century and the end of the 19th century."

"🇬🇧 Quinta das Cruzes Museum The Quinta das Cruzes Museum is a historic estate located in Funchal, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Madeira. This charming museum is housed in a former manor and features a collection of decorative arts, including antique furniture, ceramics, and paintings that reflect the island’s artistic evolution. Visitors can explore the beautiful gardens surrounding the estate, which are adorned with exotic plants and sculptures, while enjoying stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. The museum provides a unique insight into the lifestyle of Madeira’s elite in the past and is a must-visit for history and art enthusiasts. 🇩🇪 Museu Quinta das Cruzes Das Museu Quinta das Cruzes ist ein historisches Anwesen in Funchal, das das reiche kulturelle Erbe Madeiras präsentiert. Dieses charmante Museum ist in einem ehemaligen Herrenhaus untergebracht und bietet eine Sammlung dekorativer Kunstwerke, darunter antike Möbel, Keramiken und Gemälde, die die künstlerische Entwicklung der Insel widerspiegeln. Besucher können die wunderschönen Gärten rund um das Anwesen erkunden, die mit exotischen Pflanzen und Skulpturen geschmückt sind, während sie die atemberaubenden Ausblicke auf die Stadt und den Atlantischen Ozean genießen. Das Museum bietet einen einzigartigen Einblick in den Lebensstil der Elite Madeiras in der Vergangenheit und ist ein Muss für Geschichts- und Kunstliebhaber."