HOMEPAGE
Quinta da Capela is roughly translated as Chapel Manor. The property being in the possesion of wealthy landlords of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was also an estate that the Catholic church had a strong relationship with in the past centuries.
The estate is a smaller version of what a typical english countryside manor estate might be. With all its quaint quirks and eccentricities - but typically Madeiran.
It is also one of the very few accommodations in Madeira that have been classified by the regional government as a Madeira heritage and cultural site.
This
same principle was developed by António Estevinho, the current
proprietor. He was inspired to develop the ecclesiastical accommodation
into a fine Madeiran 17th century museum or heritage home.
He acquired the ruins of the original building in 1984 and with careful
reserach and study of old photographs and drawings he was able to restore
it to its original state.
At an expense that was footed almost exclusively by António Estevinho
himself he recuperated the original interior and fitted the interior with
several improvements. Furniture and traditional antiques were acquired
that matched the original style of the mansion, and further decoration
such as vases and paintings 
were
carefully chosen to complement the character of the old mansion.
An interseting feature of the old mansion is the 17th century kitchen where meals are prepared and served with a view over and across the village to the sea. The traditional Madeiran kitchen is unique in that it is also complemented with many rare and traditional kitchen utensils and cutlery - including a rare and unique hand winding butter-maker and early sea-farer or discovery china, amonst other things.
