Madeira Toy Museum

Toys, we have all had that one extra special one we loved and treasured, no matter how bashed and broken it might have become over the years. That lovable doll with tufts of her hair where it’s been styled and styled time and time again, eventually falling out. The toy car that has taken young boys on magical imaginary road trips. The toy soldier that put up a fight with Star Wars creatures as Wampas and Tauntauns. The plastic fighter plane that flew around the living room, but ended up crashing behind couch pillows.

According to Wikipedia, the origin of the word "toy" is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the fourteenth century. The oldest known doll toy is thought to be 4,000 years old. Playing with toys is considered to be important when it comes to growing up and learning about the world around us. Younger children use toys to discover their identity, help their bodies grow strong, learn cause and effect, explore relationships, and practice skills they will need as adults. Adults on occasion use toys to form and strengthen social bonds, teach, help in therapy, and to remember and reinforce lessons from their youth.

The Madeira Toy Museum is a toy museum located in the heart of Funchal just behind the Farmer’s Market.

The museum was founded by a local architect, José Manuel Borges Pereira, in 2003.

Currently, the museum has on display 20,000 toys and miniatures from as early as the nineteenth century, which come from Portugal, England, Germany and France.

Miniature cars, dolls, airplanes, toy soldiers, and games are among the many collectibles that give life to this unique museum.

Previously located in a private house, in Barreiros, the museum now has a new home, located in a building dated from the eighteen century, part of the new “Armazém do Mercado”.

Address: Rua Latino Coelho, 39 - 2.º Piso Funchal

Telephone: 291 640 640

E-mail: museu@armazemdomercado.com

Website: http://www.armazemdomercado.com

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10.00am to 7.00pm

Tickets: Regular:5€    Children: 3€
Family Pack (2 adults + 2 children): 12€
Special prices for schools (require prior-registration)