Hospício da Princesa D. Maria Amélia

Just across the road from the Parque de Santa Catarina, but largely invisible behind its walls stands the Hospício da Princesa Dona Maria Amélia. The institution was founded in 1853 when Princess Maria Amélia, daughter of the late Emperor Pedro I of Brazil (also briefly King of Portugal) and his second wife, Amélia Augusta Eugénia Napoleona de Leuchtenberg, contracted Tuberculosis. Her family moved to Madeira, but, unfortunately, the Princess died. Her aunt, Josephine of Leuchtenberg, was Queen of Sweden and inherited the hospital from her sister, the mother of Princess Maria Amélia. After her death, the Swedish Crown established a foundation under Portuguese law to continue the work of the hospital in memory of the princess and her family.

 

The imposing hospital building stands in mature gardens and although its original function is no longer necessary, the foundation operates a care home and day centre for the elderly, a school and a nursery.

 

The chapel is sometimes used for chamber concerts organised by the Orquestra Clássica da Madeira. There are also views towards the Fortaleza do Pico.

The grounds are normally open daily and free to visit.

Getting there

The site lies to the north of the Avenida do Infante to the immediate west of the centre of Funchal and a short walk from the Avenida Arriaga. HF buses 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 (among others) serve the stop immediately opposite, outside the Parque de Santa Catarina (stop number 8) heading into Funchal. Heading west out of Funchal, the nearest stop is at the roundabout at the bottom of the Avenida do Infante (stop number 33A, RJ Dias Leite Rotunda) served by the same buses (other routes may operate from the stop on the ramp up from the  Avenida do Mar).

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