Palace of Sao Lorenco

Alright, folks, gather round for a tale of the São Lourenço Palace! Picture this: back in 1513, King Manuel I of Portugal had this brilliant idea to build a fortress. Yep, you heard it right, a fortress! Fast forward a bit, and voilà, we've got ourselves a fancy palace. But oh, the twists and turns this place has seen! It's like a makeover show on steroids.

So, this palace started off flexing its muscles as a military stronghold, keeping pesky invaders at bay. But then, somewhere along the way, it decided to swap its armor for a snazzy suit and tie. Yep, it upgraded to become the swanky residence of the Governors of Madeira. Talk about a glow-up!

But wait, there's more! In 1836, they decided to play musical chairs with the rooms. One side became the turf of the Military Command of Madeira, while the other side became the VIP lounge for the Minister of the Republic. Fancy, right? And guess what they filled those rooms with? Only the finest stuff – we're talking Portuguese and European decorative arts, furniture straight outta fancy palaces in Lisbon, and royal portraits that would make even the Queen jealous.

Oh, and did I mention the décor? It's like stepping into a time machine and landing smack dab in the 17th to 19th centuries. You've got furniture fit for a king – literally – and portraits so regal, you'll be practicing your royal wave in no time.

So, there you have it, folks! The São Lourenço Palace – where history meets swankiness, and every room tells a story. Ready to step into a world of royal extravagance? Let's go and visit this one of a kind place and its Military Museum inside.