Set among luxurious vegetation, the parish county or suburb of Monte boasts some of the most beautiful Quintas of Madeira - former residences of old Madeiran noble families and wealthy tradesmen and merchants. The world famous Monte Palace Gardens is a stones throw away and a new cable car system offers some breath-taking scenery when ascending from the Funchal "Zone Velha" to Monte. Monte is best known for its important ecclesiastical status - it is legend that the Virgin Mary appeared before a young shepherdess nearby.

The Estalagem Quinta do Monte (in English "Quinta Monte Inn") should not be confused with the similarly named Quinta do Monte - which was once the residence and dying place of the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Karl the First. The ill-fated Emperor was deposed of his throne in 1918 and sought refuge in Madeira to help recover from ailing health. Unfortunately he died in 1922, not long after establishing himself in the grand gardens of the exclusive area of Monte. He now rests in peace under a black stone coffin in the Monte church. The church is a mere twenty metres away from the Estalagem Quinta do Monte itself.

Picture of the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor: Karl I. One of the last of the powerful Hapsburgs that dominated political affairs in pre-twentieth century Europe. For more information or a brief biogaraphy of the Emperor please visit or click on the link below: http://raven.cc.ukans.edu/~kansite/ww_one/bio/k/karl-1.html