Câmara Municipal do Funchal
Item
Nota de estado
Finalizado
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
Madeira Regional Archives and Public Library
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Caminho dos Álamos 35, Santo António, 9020-064 Funchal
Contact information: phone number
00351 291 145 310
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
drabm.srtc@madeira.gov.pt
Reference number
PT/ABM/CMFUN
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Municipality of Funchal
Title (official language of the state)
Câmara Municipal do Funchal
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Câmara Municipal do Funchal
Date note
15th century/20th century
Language(s)
por
Extent
300 linear metres
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Câmara Municipal do Funchal fonds comprises records produced or related to the municipality dating back to the 14th century. The fonds does not contain information on the Jewish presence on the island of Madeira. Indeed, although some Jewish merchants are known for operating commerce between Continental Portugal and the island, there was no Jewish settlement there.
The "Tomo I do Registo da Câmara Municipal do Funchal" (First volume of the Municipality of Funchal records) includes copies of 15th-century documents, and it reveals evidence of the attempts made by authorities to avoid the participation of Jews in Madeira's economy (PT/ABM/CMFUN/C-A/001-001/00002). On August 3, 1461, Infante D. Fernando replied to several appeals made by two delegates of the Municipality of Funchal. One of them called for the prohibition of Jews and Genoese trading or having income on the island of Madeira (fols. 204v-205). Infante D. Fernando agreed with this request, but it had no effect since Jewish merchants continued to operate in the island's commerce, particularly in the sugar business.
This document is available online:
The "Tomo I do Registo da Câmara Municipal do Funchal" (First volume of the Municipality of Funchal records) includes copies of 15th-century documents, and it reveals evidence of the attempts made by authorities to avoid the participation of Jews in Madeira's economy (PT/ABM/CMFUN/C-A/001-001/00002). On August 3, 1461, Infante D. Fernando replied to several appeals made by two delegates of the Municipality of Funchal. One of them called for the prohibition of Jews and Genoese trading or having income on the island of Madeira (fols. 204v-205). Infante D. Fernando agreed with this request, but it had no effect since Jewish merchants continued to operate in the island's commerce, particularly in the sugar business.
This document is available online:
Archival history
Part of the Câmara Municipal do Funchal fonds was incorporated in the Arquivo Distrital do Funchal shortly after its creation. The archive was founded by decree on June 27, 1931. In January of 1932, it was established in the Palácio da Encarnação, from where it was transferred to the Palácio de São Pedro in the following year. The first and most relevant incorporation of the Câmara Municipal do Funchal fonds occurred on September 5, 1932, after a deliberation of the Municipality of Funchal. This first incorporation included records from the 15th century to 1880. Other entries of documentation from the Municipality of Funchal in the Arquivo Distrital took place over the following decades. In 2007, 2009, and 2011, a series of records from the 19th and 20th centuries entered the archive's collection. The Arquivo Distrital do Funchal was transferred to the superintendency of the Região Autónoma da Madeira in 1980 and, then, it was renamed as Arquivo Regional da Madeira. In 2016, the archive and the public library of Madeira fused into one institution, the Arquivo Regional e Biblioteca Pública da Madeira.
We would like to thank Sara Camacho Aguiar, the director of the Arquivo e Biblioteca da Madeira, for the information regarding the history of this fonds.
We would like to thank Sara Camacho Aguiar, the director of the Arquivo e Biblioteca da Madeira, for the information regarding the history of this fonds.
Administrative / Biographical history
The history of the Municipality of Funchal dates back to the mid-15th century, some decades after the first settlers went to the island of Madeira. Indeed, in 1453 or 1454, King Afonso V established the village of Funchal and granted its first "foral" (city charter). In the following century, Funchal developed with the flourishing sugar production and trade. Then, the municipality decided on the construction of a political-administrative centre in the village, in the so-called Campo do Duque, where a church, a square, and the Council Chambers should be built. The building of the Council Chambers started around 1486 and was completed in 1491. On August 21, 1508, Funchal was elevated to city status. In the 17th century, wine production flourished on the island. As a result of this development, a community of English merchants settled in Funchal, influencing the island's economy, architecture, and its population's lifestyle.
Over the centuries, the City Council occupied different buildings but, in the first half of the 19th century, it was transferred to the Carvalhal Esmeraldo Palace, where it remains at present.
Over the centuries, the City Council occupied different buildings but, in the first half of the 19th century, it was transferred to the Carvalhal Esmeraldo Palace, where it remains at present.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The Câmara Municipal do Funchal fonds is organised into six sections: Constituição e regulamentação do município (Constitution and regulamentation of the Municipality), Órgãos do município (Municipal Bodies), Serviços administrativos (Management Services), Impostos (Taxes), Obras públicas (Public Works), and Assistência e saúde pública (Welfare and Public Health). Each section is divided into subsections and each subsection into series. The volume mentioned above is part of the Registo Geral (General Records) series, which is incorporated into the Serviços Administrativos section. Records are arranged chronologically.
Access, restrictions
The fonds is generally accessible, with exception of a few records whose physical condition is poor.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2021
Published primary sources
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Arquivo Regional e Biblioteca Pública da Madeira | Collections (official language of the state) |