Introduction

The whale museum, located in the village of Caniçal, tells the story about the whale hunting, the train-oil extraction and the whale flour production industries in Madeira archipelago. Through a collection of photographs, video images from the period, an exhibition of artefacts and harpoons used in whale hunting, are perpetuated memories of an activity that is this way accessible to those who visit us.

Some models can be observed to the scale of the former ships as well as the ancient craftwork made from Cachalot (whale) theet and bones often known by scrimshaw. A copy of the old ‘whale factory’ made up to the slightest details takes us to a past not that far away.

The Biology aspects and the whale and dolphin protection are approached in the exhibition, being also a way of appealing to everyone’s sympathy to the deep need of preserving these amazing animals. Presently the Whale Museum is developing a group of studies concerning the Cetacea in Madeira archipelago with the purpose of achieving a better knowledge and preservation about it. Among them, stands-out the ‘Project for the Conservation of Cetacea in Madeira archipelago’.

Director:
Luís Freitas
 
Address:
Largo Manuel Alves
Vila do Caniçal
9200 - 032 Caniçal

Telephone.:
291 961 858

Fax:
291 961 859

E-mail:
masf@netmadeira.com

Opening hours:
Every week days except on Mondays (closed): 10.00 a.m. to 12 O’clock; 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Admission tickets:
1,25 Euros