The Museu de Arte Sacra do Funchal (Arte Sacra Museum of Funchal) is located in the old archbishop’s palace, built in 1600. Its beautiful stone paved courtyard and the large entrance staircase were built during the remodelings of 1748 and 1757.
On the first floor you will find an exhibition of religious costumes, silver objects and religious figures, collected in the churches of Madeira. Some of these objects date from the first years of colonisation of the island. It is the case of a processional cross, donated to the Sé (Cathedral) of Funchal by the king Manuel I, who reigned between 1490 until 1520.
However, the most valuable objects in this museum are exhibited in the top roof. Once there, you can enjoy the simplicity of some beautiful wooden painted figures which represent the Virgin and the Holy Child, in addition to great Flemish painting of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Some of the exhibit painting collections include portraits of the donors, mostly traders who made a fortune with the sugar trade. Among them stands out the portrait of an Italian trader named Simon Acciaiuoli, who is kneeling besides his Scottish wife, Mary Drummond, in a representation of the Descent of the Cross. In another portrait, you can see Simon Gonçalves da Câmara, Zaro’s grandchild, who discovered of the island of Madeira.
Rua do Bispo 21, Funchal, Madeira, Madeira.
General admission: 3 Euros.
Senior and Youth Card holders: 1,50€
Student Card holders and teachers: free entrance.
From Tuesday to Satudary from 10h00 to 12h30 and from 14h30 to 18h00.
Sunday from 10h00 to 13h00.
(+351) 291 228 900
masf@netmadeira.com
http://www.museuartesacrafunchal.org
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Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril
Turismo de Portugal