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OUR HISTORY

THE ACHADA

The history of the Quinta

A story of agriculture, wine, and gardens

High above the hills of Funchal, overlooking the Atlantic, stands Quinta Jardins do Lago, a historic home that has quietlty witnessed Madeira’s key moments for centuries. From the island’s early settlement, the estate has been a silent witness to the crossing paths of nobility, diplomats, botanists and explorers.

This is the journey of a property that witnessed the island’s development through the ages, played a part in some historical world events, and blossomed into a sanctuary of botanical beauty across the centuries, as told through the rythm of time.

City of Funchal

Brief History

The Madeira Archipelago has intrigued European seafarers since the 7th century BCE, though its allure was overshadowed by Mediterranean trade routes and Atlantic myths. Early records, like the Castilian reference to “Isluna de lo Legname” in 1349, hint at its presence in ancient navigation.

In 1415, following Portugal’s conquest of Ceuta, Prince Henry the Navigator identified Madeira as a strategic base for Atlantic and African expeditions. Colonization began in 1425 under João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira, and Bartolomeu Perestrelo, transforming the island into a thriving outpost of Portuguese expansion.

Under the Order of Christ’s guidance, Madeira’s development was methodical. Funchal’s layout mirrored the era’s social order:

To the east, Santa Maria was home to fishermen and artisans.
Along the João Gomes and Santa Luzia rivers, merchants settled their trade quarters.
Nobles established their quintas on the hills above.
The central bay, now Avenida Arriaga, hosted the Campo do Duque, the administrative hub.
To the west, Zarco and his heirs governed São Pedro Parish, encompassing the islets and the valleys of São João and Ribeiro Seco

The history behind the Quinta

A Journey Through Time and Nature

15th Century: Roots of a Legacy

1450–1502 — From wilderness to promise

Shortly after Madeira was settled, the plateau known as the Achada became part of the Captain’s estates — fertile land where wheat, vines and sugarcane thrived. In 1502, the land was granted to a farmer from the Algarve, Vasco Anes. There was no house yet, just open land and a future waiting to happen.

17th Century: First Foundations

1620: A house rises

A century later, the first house was likely built. The English merchants on the island called it simply “The Achada” — a name spoken with quiet respect.

1663: Expansion Through Wine and Gardens

With Britain’s Act for the Encouragement of Trade, a monopoly on Madeira wine was established in the American colonies. Like many estates at the time, Quinta da Achada became a vineyard.

Simultaneously, its owners cultivated ornamental gardens, elegantly merging agricultural practicality with the scenic beauty that still defines the property today.

1679: A Spiritual Touch Amid the Vines

Friar António Teles da Silva, Bishop of Funchal, conceeds the license for religious celebrations to the Chapel of Our Lady of Life, in the Chapel of Achada. The Chapel is gifted by the Quinta’s owners, Captain Manuel Valente and his wife Isabel de Quintal, who also expamd the vineyards. and expanded the vineyards. Wine and worship became part of the Quinta’s daily life.

17th Century: The golden era of Madeira Wine

1759: Commerce and Elegance

Dr. Richard Hill bought the estate, establishing headquarters for Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Co., exporting Madeira wine to American colonies, counting George Washington, America’s !st president, among its patrons.

It is possible (and plausible) the wine served at the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776, may have come from the vineyards or cellars of the Quinta.

As the vineyards thrived, Hill introduced exotic plants to the estate, enriching its growing botanical legacy.

1803–1814: British Influence

During the Penfold family’s tenure, Quinta da Achada played a role in the Napoleonic Wars. General Viscount Beresford made the estate his residence during the British occupation of Madeira, overseeing reforms. The wine trade flourished during this turbulent period, and Achada’s exports to America connected it to events like the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.

1815: A Toast to Napoleon and Gardens of Prestige

The estate’s connection to global events grew with Henry Veitch’s gift of Madeira wine to Napoleon. Quinta da Achada’s gardens, flourishing with imported and native plants, began attracting visitors drawn to its beauty and history.

19th Century: The Penfold Family and Botanical Excellence

Under the Penfold family, Quinta da Achada flourished as a botanical haven. Jane Wallas, a renowned botanist, cataloged the flora, solidifying the estate’s reputation as Madeira’s premier garden. It was also during this period that the estate inspired some of the first artistic and literary works celebrating Madeira’s natural beauty.

1881: The Lindon Legacy

Reverend Dr. Lindon renamed the estate Quinta Lindon. His daughter, Elia Alice Madeleine, brought global influences to the gardens, adding rare plants and a 17th-century Catalan tile panel that complemented the estate’s artistic charm.

20th Century: Preservation of the Gardens

Sylvie Elaine Lindon-Vinard’s marriage to John Reeder Blandy brought the estate into the Blandy family’s stewardship. Known for their dedication to Madeira’s cultural heritage, they preserved and expanded the botanical gardens, ensuring their enduring appeal.

2000: A New Chapter

The estate was reborn as Quinta ardins do Lago, a boutique hotel embracing its botanical and historical legacy. The lush gardens, now home to over 600 species of plants, continue to captivate guests, offering a serene glimpse into Madeira’s natural and cultural wealth.

Jardins do Lago: A Testament to Madeira’s Botanical Glory

Today, Jardins do Lago is more than a historical estate; it is a sanctuary of biodiversity. Rare and native plants flourish in its gardens, echoing centuries of cultivation and care. From its roots as an agricultural plateau to its present as a lush retreat, the estate reflects Madeira’s journey as a crossroads of cultures, commerce, and nature

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Your Stay Summary at Quinta Jardins do Lago