History

Quintas da Madeira continue to be an essential part of the island's tourist offer, providing visitors with a rich cultural and historical experience in a single space.

These Estates on the island of Madeira have played a significant role since the 15th and 16th centuries, being an integral part of the economy and life of local communities ever since. However, it was mainly in the 19th century, with the emergence of therapeutic tourism, that these farms became fundamental elements in the history of tourism on the island.

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The history of Quintas

Quintas on the island of Madeira represent an essential element of its cultural and historical identity. Originally used as agricultural properties and family residences, these farms played a fundamental role in the local economy. However, with the advent of therapeutic tourism in the 19th century, many of these farms were adapted to receive visitors seeking treatment for a variety of illnesses, thus boosting the beginning of tourist exploration in Madeira. Over the years, these farms have evolved to become not only places of accommodation but also popular tourist destinations, thus preserving their historical importance while embracing the needs of modern tourism.

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Madeiran farms are known for their beautiful gardens and the variety of exotic plants they house. They play an important role in conserving the island's biodiversity and offer visitors a unique experience of contact with nature.
In the 18th century, the functions of Madeiran farms evolved to adapt to the transformation of Funchal into a cosmopolitan area. They became spaces with their own social status, business, leisure and housing for the emerging British bourgeoisie. The influence of this British community, which held great power at the time, was fundamental for the commercialization of Madeiran products and the development of tourism on the island.

 Quintas da Madeira

Quintas da Madeira, with its distinctive architecture and lush gardens, offers a unique experience to visitors. They are characterized by walled estates, with large residences surrounded by landscaped gardens, agricultural areas and, sometimes, chapels. Many maintain original architectural elements, such as shutters, sash windows and pleasure houses in the gardens.

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Currently, Quintas da Madeira continue to be an essential part of the island's tourist offer, providing visitors with a rich cultural and historical experience in a single space. With their specific legal framework, Quintas da Madeira are recognized as places of great heritage, cultural and social value, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of tourism in the region. It is important to highlight that the Quintas were one of the first tourist offerings in the region, playing a pioneering role in attracting visitors to Madeira and contributing to the initial development of tourism on the island.

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Farms are as important in our memory as they are in our daily lives. We are the only tourist region that exists in which, in addition to hotels, aparthotels and local accommodation, we have farms, which today constitute a type of tourist offer that only occurs here in Madeira.

Quinta da Bela Vista

Quinta da Bela Vista is a true relic with a history dating back to 1844. Located in Funchal, in São Martinho, this property offers stunning views of the bay and Funchal amphitheater. Built by the ancestors of the current owners, the farm remained in the possession of their lineage over the years, spanning several generations. Despite always belonging to members of the same family, it has had different owners over time. Around 1900, it was acquired by Manuel José Perestrelo Favila Vieira, grandfather and great-grandfather of the current owners, representing the fourth generation of family members linked to the property. During the first half of the 20th century, Dermot Francis Bolger, a descendant of aristocratic families such as the Counts of Torre Bela, lived on the property as a tenant.

The property stood out for its cultivation of sugar cane, vineyards and bananas, originally covering an area of 9 hectares, but reduced to 2 hectares due to land expropriation by public entities.

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In 1979, Professor Dr. Roberto de Ornelas Monteiro, a renowned medical surgeon and pioneer of modern surgery in Madeira, along with his wife, Ema Maria Homem Favila Vieira de Ornelas Monteiro, acquired the family property. They began the restoration of some agricultural parcels of the Quinta and added a distinctive collection of antiques to the property.
In 1989, The Manor House was converted into a hotel unit, known as the Estalagem da Quinta da Bela Vista. Until 2001, additions and improvements were made, including more buildings and a swimming pool, turning it into a luxurious five-star hotel. These changes involved the disappearance of the original agricultural area of the Quinta and the redefinition of its gardens, but preserved the charm and history of this remarkable Madeiran property.

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The Mother House - The Manor House

The Colonial House, built in 1844, is a historic landmark of Quinta da Bela Vista. Within its walls resides a priceless art collection, made up of precious decorative elements. The gardens remain intact, with a central circle surrounded by a square, while lush vegetation or ancient agricultural areas adorn the house's surroundings.
In 1989, its transformation into a hotel began, with Casa Mãe as the epicenter of this activity. Today, the building houses a high-quality restaurant, specializing in Fine Dining, a sophisticated Cocktail Bar, a library and several living rooms, one of which has a fireplace, providing a welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, it is possible to stay overnight in four elegant Junior Suites located within this house, providing guests with a truly luxurious and exclusive stay.

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Casinha Dos Prazeres

The Casinha dos Prazeres is a distinctive element found in the gardens of Quintas Madeirenses, appearing at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century. These little houses are leisure spaces, similar to the "fresh houses" in the gardens of European palaces, integrating harmoniously into the natural environment of the gardens. They represent an extension of the natural space and provide visitors with a charming place to enjoy the lush environment of Madeiran farms. Casinhas dos Prazeres were charming and peaceful places, where people could read, embroider, drink tea, chat and even date. These romantic buildings offered privacy to observe the surroundings without being seen.
Nowadays, Casinha dos Prazeres has been converted into a leisure space, supporting the swimming pool, where guests can enjoy the wonderful views over Funchal accompanied by a refreshment, tea, or even enjoy a light meal.

Quinta da Bela Vista Gardens

The gardens at Quinta da Bela Vista stand out for their size and location, providing stunning views over Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean. With an exceptional flora, which includes native Laurissilva species, such as laurel, tilde and vinhatic, as well as large trees such as magnolia, kapok and jacaranda, these gardens reflect the island's unique botanical diversity. They are carefully planned and maintained, with winding paths that lead visitors to different areas and points of interest, such as lakes, fountains and sculptures. We can find a variety of fauna and flora, including palm trees, fruit trees such as banana, mango and avocado trees, and a profusion of colorful flowers such as hydrangeas, bougainvillea, camellias and orchids. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, gardens play an important role in the ecology of the urbanized area of Funchal, contributing to the biodiversity and environmental balance of the region. In short, the gardens at Quinta da Bela Vista offer a unique experience that combines the natural beauty, history and culture of the island of Madeira.

Native Laurissilva Trees:

• Laurel (Laurus novocanariensis): Evergreen tree, native to Macaronesia, with aromatic leaves and small fruits.
• Til (Ocotea foetens): A species endemic to Madeira, it has glossy leaves and small flowers.
• Vinhático (Persea indica): Medium-sized tree, known for its edible fruits and valuable wood.

Large Trees:

• Magnolia (Magnolia sp.): Ornamental tree with large fragrant flowers and lush foliage.
• Kapok (Ceiba pentandra): An imposing species of tropical tree, known for its massive trunk and aerial roots.
• Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): Medium-sized tree with blue-lilac trumpet-shaped flowers.
• Roble Oak (Quercus robur): A species of oak common in Europe, known for its resistant wood.
• Island Beech (Morella faya): Tree endemic to Macaronesia, adapted to varied climatic conditions.

Fruit trees:

• Banana trees (Musa sp.): Perennial plant that produces bunches of bananas.
• Mango trees (Mangifera indica): Tropical tree known for its succulent fruits.
• Avocado Trees (Persea americana): Fruit species appreciated for its fruits rich in healthy fats.
• Anoneira (Annona sp.): Tropical tree that produces edible fruits with a sweet flavor and characteristic aroma.
• Pitangueira (Eugenia uniflora): Shrub or small tree with aromatic fruits and a sweet flavor.
• Lemon Tree (Citrus limon): Citrus tree that produces lemons, known for its refreshing aroma.
• Orange tree (Citrus sinensis): Fruit tree cultivated for its juicy fruits and citrus aroma.

Ornamental and Aesthetic Value Trees:

• Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora): Aromatic tree with fragrant leaves, known for its essential oil.
• Dragon tree (Dracaena draco): Slender tree with rosette-shaped foliage and a branched trunk.
• Flame of the Forest (Brownea grandiceps): Shrub or medium-sized tree with showy red inflorescences.
• Chestnut tree (Castanea sativa): Large tree known for its fruits, chestnuts.
• Indian Fig Tree (Opuntia ficus-indica): Edible cactus with succulent fruits and palm-shaped leaves.
• Cardinal (Lagerstroemia indica): Ornamental shrub or tree with showy flowers in shades of pink, purple or white.
• Holly (Ilex aquifolium): Shrub or tree with evergreen leaves and bright red berries.
• Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera): Ornamental tree with tulip-shaped flowers and distinctive foliage.
• Fire Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius): Ornamental tree with bright red flowers and lush foliage.
• Mimosa (Acacia dealbata): Shrub or tree with fragrant yellow flowers and delicate leaves.
• Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica): Medium-sized willow with drooping branches, often found near bodies of water.
• Araçaleiro (Eugenia stipitata): Tropical fruit tree known for its small, sweet fruits.

Tropical and Exotic Plants:

• Corinocarp (Corinocarpus laevigatus): Evergreen tree with spherical fruits and leathery leaves.
• Virginia juniper (Juniperus virginiana): Shrub or tree with dark blue berries and needle-shaped leaves.
• Tooth Plant (Cyperus alternifolius): Ornamental plant with fan-shaped leaves and small inflorescences.
• Kentia (Howea forsteriana): Ornamental palm with elegant, feathery leaves.

Plants with a Distinctive Aroma:

• Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis): Large palm with fan-shaped leaves and a robust trunk.
• Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): Medium-sized tree with blue-lilac trumpet-shaped flowers.
• Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora): Aromatic tree with fragrant leaves, known for its essential oil.
• Orange tree (Citrus sinensis): Fruit tree cultivated for its juicy fruits and citrus aroma.

Plants with Showy Inflorescences:

• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.): Climbing shrub with colorful bracts and small white flowers.
• Hydrangeas (Hydrangea sp.): Ornamental shrub with globose inflorescences in shades of blue, pink or white.
• Camellias (Camellia sp.): Shrub or tree with large, showy flowers in shades of pink, red or white.
• Orchids (Orchidaceae): Family of plants with complex and varied flowers, appreciated for their beauty and diversity.
• Tipuana (Tipuana tipu): Ornamental tree with showy yellow flowers and delicate foliage.
• Fire Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius): Ornamental tree with bright red flowers and lush foliage.