DISCOVERING AND RESTORING THE LOST HERITAGE AT SANTA CLARA CONVENT IN FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND, PORTUGAL

Teresa de Deus Ferreira; Teresa de Deus Ferreira

All Papers

Complete Paper

Summary

Paper Title

DISCOVERING AND RESTORING THE LOST HERITAGE AT SANTA CLARA CONVENT IN FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND, PORTUGAL

Authors

Teresa de Deus Ferreira
Teresa de Deus Ferreira

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/823757-discovering-and-restoring-the-lost-heritage-at-santa-clara-convent-in-funchal-madeira-island-portugal

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

Rehabilitation, restoration, convent, altars, WWI, Funchal, Madeira

Summary

How the rehabilitation works of the Santa Clara Convent in Funchal allowed the recovery of part of its lost splendor and the discovery of features that were thought to be lost or not known to exist. Santa Clara convent was built between 1492 and 1497 to house a community of Poor Clare nuns. At its foundation, King Manuel I, offered them income and allowed the nuns to inherit properties, which contributed to the enrichment of the convent. With the extinction of the religious orders in Portugal in 1834, the building was incorporated into the State, some goods were sold at public auction and the building was left vacant and deteriorating. In 1896, the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary was established in the convent and in the 1920s a crèche for disadvantaged children was installed responding to the social inequalities existing in Funchal. The convent was classified as a National Monument in 1943, when much of the assets had already been lost. Due to the need to create adequate spaces for the crèche and congregation, existing unused spaces suffered many alterations and demolitions. In the 1950s, the idea of freeing the heritage from all constructions that were not original was common, with several existing chapels being demolished. Despite the Venice Charter being dated 1964, incorrect works were still carried out in the following decades. Finally, between 2019 and 2023, rehabilitation and restoration interventions were carried out, with European Community funding, which made it possible to reverse some of these situations. 6 altars were found, 3 incomplete and 3 complete that were possible to reassemble. One of these, due to its characteristics, might have been the original altar of the church’s main chapel, prior to 1797. If so, it was dismantled for more than 200 years. A specific structure was created for its assembly and exhibition to the public. It was discovered that the white paint that surrounded the upper part of the church's triumphal arch covered a trompe-l'oeil curtain decoration that was thought to be lost. One of the known disasters was the fire, in the 1960s, that destroyed the nuns' dormitories. In the intervention now carried out, a fire risk protection installation was implemented, which encompassed the nursery area and the congregation's residence, contributing to improving safety conditions. During the restoration of the church's main altar, a metallic fragment was discovered embedded in a column which, through chemical and comparative analyses, was possible to confirm that it belonged to a grenade, launched by a German submarine during the First World War in 1917, that hit the roof of the church's main chapel, causing great damage and personal losses. The entire intervention was duly documented graphically with drawings, photographs, videos and 3D surveys. If something may happen in the future, the current situation is fully recorded.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

FERREIRA, Teresa de Deus; FERREIRA, Teresa de Deus. DISCOVERING AND RESTORING THE LOST HERITAGE AT SANTA CLARA CONVENT IN FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND, PORTUGAL.. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/823757-DISCOVERING-AND-RESTORING-THE-LOST-HERITAGE-AT-SANTA-CLARA-CONVENT-IN-FUNCHAL-MADEIRA-ISLAND-PORTUGAL. Access in: 31/08/2025