Madeira Story Center, Funchal

Located in Funchal's Old Town, opposite the Monte Cable Car Station, the Madeira Story Centre is an exceptional museum that offers visitors an interactive journey through Madeira's history and development up to the present day. The museum features permanent exhibitions that cover a range of themes, including Volcanic Origin, Discovery Legends, Discovering Madeira, Turmoil and Trade, Strategic Island, Flourishing Madeira, Post-navigation Era, and Exploring Madeira. These exhibitions take visitors on a fascinating voyage through time, with some departments summarizing whole centuries while others focus on specific events in detail.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Madeira Story Centre is its ability to transport visitors back in time through a virtual journey that lets them relive the archipelago's great historical events in chronological sequence. This journey covers everything from Madeira's volcanic birth 14 million years ago to the first hydroplane landing on the island and from the times of Prince Henry the Navigator to Napoleon and Churchill.

To complement its permanent exhibitions, the museum also schedules a series of contemporary events that feature local and international artists and regional artisans exhibiting their work. Visitors can enjoy additional attractions on site, such as a multifunctional panoramic terrace equipped with telescopes that provide stunning views of the Old Town, an attractively decorated theme café, and a souvenir shop that sells exclusive Madeira-related articles.

The Madeira Story Centre is open daily, from 9 am to 7 pm, except on Christmas Day. The shop also opens daily from 9 am to 7 pm.