WHAT'S ON

Museums

• Museu de Arte Contemporanea - Museum of Contemporary Art
Forte de S. Tiago. It houses a collection of Portuguese contemporary art, mainly from the sixties. Open Mon to Sat, from 10.00 to 12.30, and from 14.00 to 17.30. Closed pub. holidays and Sundays. Admission 1.75 Euro.

• Museu de Arte Sacra - Museum of Religious Art
R. do Bispo, 21. Important collection of Flemish paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. Religious sculptures and gold artifacts dating back to the 16th century. Open Tues to Sat, from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18hs.

• Biblioteca-Museu Mário Barbeito de Vasconcelos
Av. Arriaga, 48. Collection of Christopher Columbus memorabilia including prints, rare books and items related to the history of the island. Open 09.30 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00. Closed pub. holiday and Sundays.

• Museu Frederico de Freitas
Calçada de Sta. Clara. Ecléctic choice of different collections, religious sculptures, prints, furniture, musical instruments and an impressive wing dedicated to the history of Azulejos tiles.Open Tues to Sat, from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00. Sun from 10.00 to 12.30. Closed Monday and pub. holidays.

• Museu Quinta da Cruzes
Calçada do Pico. Flemish and Portuguese sculpture from the 15th-18th century. Porcelain from the Portuguese East India Company and Europe, furniture dating back to the 16th century, ivory objects and prints. Open Tues to Sat, from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.03. Sun from 10.00 to 13.00. Closed Mon and pub-holidays.

• Museu Municipal e Aquário – Natural History Museum
R. da Mouraria, 31. Fascinating collection of Madeira´s marine life, with examples of the fauna, flora and geology of the islands as well. Open Tues to Fri from 10.00 to 18.00 on Sat, Sun and pub-holidays it is open from 12.00 to 18.00. Closes on Mondays. Free entrance.

• Madeira Wine House Museum
Adegas de S. Francisco-Av. Arriaga 28. These are the most ancient cellars of Madeira Wine, were you can learn about its history, with documents, prints, old machinery and taste vintage Madeira. Open Mon to Fri, from 09.00 to 19.00 on Sat from 09.00 to 14.00. Guided visits from Mon to Fri at 10.30 and at 15.30, Sat at 11.00.

• Museu da Cidade do Açúcar- Sugar Museum
Praça Colombo. An exhibition of utensils, artefacts and art objects from the sugar manufacturing epoque of the 15th and 16th centuries. Open Mon to Fri, 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00.

• Embroidery Museum- IBTAM
R. Visconde de Anadia, 44. A collection featuring valuable examples of Madeira embroidery, inlaid wood and tapestry. Open Mon to Fri from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 15.30. Closes on Sat, Sun and pub-holidays.

• Museu da Baleia - Whale Museum
Vila do Caniçal, Machico. Passed from private hands to the state in 1989. It has a whaling boat, a fibre glass cachalote whale, whalebone windows and whale jaws. Opens Tues to Sun from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 18.00. Closes on Monday.

• Multi cultural Library
Quinta Magnólia, R. Dr Pita 15. Assortment of English, French, German and Spanish books can be found. Mon to Fri from 09.00 to 17.300. Closes Sat and Sun.

• Museu Etnográfico - Ethnografic Museum
Ribeira Brava, R.S. Francisco 24. This museum displays ethnografic objects that bear witness to the culture and society of madeira. There are displays of water mills, fishing, domestic life, weaving and much more.Opens Tues to Sundays from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.00. Closes Monday and pub-holidays.

Galleries

• Galeria Porta 33
R. da Quebra Costas, 33
Has unexpected contemporary exhibitions and a book section, well worth a visit

• Galeria da Secretaria Regional do Turismo
Av. Arriaga, Funchal
Tel: + 351 291 233272
Promotes artists and exhibitions in the centre of Funchal