Madeira Story Centre, Funchal

Madeira Story Centre, one of Funchal’s most interesting visitors’ attractions, where you can learn everything about Madeira’s history and development up to the present day, is located in the Old Town, in the Largo Almirante Reis, opposite the Monte Cable Car Station.

This spectacular, interactive museum allows the visitor to go back in time on a virtual journey and ‘relive’ in chronological sequence the archipelago’s great historic events, from its volcanic birth 14 million years ago to the first hydroplane landing in Madeira, from the times of Prince Henry the Navigator to Napoleon and Churchill.

The permanent exhibitions feature the following themes: Volcanic Origin, Discovery Legends, Discovering Madeira, Turmoil and Trade, Strategic Island, Flourishing Madeira, Post-navigation Era and Exploring Madeira. Taking you on an extremely fascinating voyage through times, some departments of the exhibition summarise whole centuries, while others tell in details about one specific event only.

Adding to its attraction and to complement the historical contents of its permanent exhibitions, a series of contemporary events, with local and international artists as well as regional artisans being invited to exhibit their work, is also scheduled.

To leisurely round up your visit, Madeira Story Centre offers you even more onsite attractions, such as a multifunctional panoramic terrace equipped with telescopes providing superb views of the Old Town, an attractively decorated theme café and a souvenir shop with exclusive Madeira-related articles to bring back home.

Madeira Story Centre is open daily (except on Christmas Day) from 09:00 to 19:00 hrs. The shop also opens daily from 09:00 to 19:00 hrs. Depending on your interest, the tour around the exhibition takes from 1 to 2 hours. Not to be missed!