Casa-Museu Frederico de Freitas

About the museum

The Casa-Museu occupies the Casa da Calçada, the former residence of the Counts of Calçada on the Calçada de Santa Clara, a 17th-century building with several alterations, mainly in the Romantic taste in the second half of the 19th century. In 1941 it was leased to Frederico de Freitas (1894–1978), a lawyer, notary and collector from Madeira, who lived there for about forty years and assembled an important collection of sculpture, painting, furniture, ceramics and prints, Portuguese and foreign.

After being bequeathed to the Autonomous Region of Madeira in 1978, the collection gave rise to the Casa-Museu, which opened in 1988. The project was completed in 1999 with the Casa dos Azulejos, built to house the azulejo collection, and the Casa da Entrada, where the reception, the educational service and the study room for prints and drawings are located.

The museum offers three routes: the Casa da Calçada, which keeps the atmosphere of a collector's home and includes a raised garden with the Casinha de Prazer; the Casa dos Azulejos, with panels from the 13th century to the present day across four floors; and a space for temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Interior of a collector's house, with sculpture, painting, furniture and ceramics
• Casa dos Azulejos, with panels from the 13th century to the present day across four floors
• Islamic, Dutch and Portuguese azulejo tilework
• Raised garden with the Casinha de Prazer
• Space for temporary exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Casa da Calçada – Rooms of a collector's home, with artistic and utilitarian objects, and a raised garden with the Casinha de Prazer.
• Casa dos Azulejos – A chronological route through the history of the azulejo, from the 13th century to the present day, with Islamic, medieval, Dutch and Portuguese panels across four floors.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Direção Regional da Cultura (Governo Regional da Madeira)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Saturday of every month, for families with at least one adult and one minor (under 18).

Young people aged 13 to 25: €3; adults aged 26 to 64: €6. Free admission also for residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira with a Simplifica card or proof of address; for Portuguese citizens (52 free admissions per year); teachers, researchers, journalists and tourism professionals on duty; holders of the former combatant's card; school groups; and cultural and community associations in the Region.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Casa dos Azulejos was designed with accessibility in mind.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The educational service publishes an annual activities plan with programmes for teachers, pupils, families, adults and holidays, with recreational activities and drama, writing and visual arts workshops.

Getting there & parking

Accessible on foot from the city centre, via the steep Calçada de Santa Clara.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The auditorium may be hired upon application and payment of a fee.

Plan your visit