Vigia (quinta)
A quinta in Funchal overlooking the sea, regarded as one of Madeira's most beautiful estates, which hosted several royal and imperial visitors and later passed to the State.
Abroad
It is regarded as one of the most beautiful quintas (country estates) of Madeira, not so much for the sumptuousness of its residence and surrounding gardens as for its enviable position overlooking the sea, which recalls many of the rich and splendid villas of the famous Côte d’Azur. It belongs today to the State and was among the properties on this island owned by the former Sanatoria Company (Empresa dos Sanatórios), whose concessionaire was Prince Friedrich of Hohenlohe (see Sanatoria). Residents of this quinta included Queen Adelaide of England, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the ill-fated Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor of Mexico, the Prince of Oldenburg, etc.
The Quinta Vigia housed the Republican Guard (Guarda Republicana) forces that were in Madeira until May 1922, and in August 1971 a bill was presented in parliament to hand over the same quinta as a house for journalists. The name of the quinta probably derives from the existence there of some watch-post (vigia), that is, some station intended to give the alarm of corsairs or any other enemy ships, and to prevent smuggling’.
The Quinta Vigia originally belonged to the wealthy Englishman Ricardo Davies, who came to Madeira at the end of the second quarter of the 19th century.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 02Place
Places mentioned · 04- Vigia · Subject
Santana
Vigia is a viewpoint at the tip of the Ponta de São Jorge, from which the whole north coast of Madeira from Porto da Cruz to Porto Moniz can be seen.
- Vigia · Subject
Calheta
Vigia is a site in the parish of Ponta do Pargo, Madeira, where the lighthouse building stands.
- Côte d'Azur
France. French Riviera, whose villas the quinta's seaside setting recalls.
French Riviera, whose villas the quinta's seaside setting recalls.
- Mexico
Country of which Maximilian later became emperor.
Country recorded as the origin of several plants found on Madeira, including the dahlia and the poinsettia. It is also the country of which Maximilian became emperor, travelling there in 1864, and where he was executed.
People
People mentioned · 06- Empress Elisabeth of Austriad. 1898
Empress of Austria who resided at the Quinta Vigia while in Madeira.
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German prince who held the concession of the former Sanatorium Company, which owned the Quinta Vigia.
- Maximiliand. 1867
Austrian archduke, later emperor of Mexico, who stayed at the Quinta Vigia.
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Prince of Oldenburg, among the royal guests who lived at the Quinta Vigia.
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Queen of England who stayed at the Quinta Vigia during a visit to Madeira.
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Wealthy Englishman who came to Madeira in the second quarter of the 19th century and was the first owner of the Quinta Vigia.