Casa Colombo – Museu do Porto Santo e dos Descobrimentos Portugueses
Museum in Vila Baleira on the history of Porto Santo and the Age of Discoveries, housed in a building that tradition links to Christopher Columbus.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Casa Colombo is located in the historic centre of Vila Baleira and occupies a building of 16th-century origin, remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. According to tradition, Christopher Columbus lived here after his marriage to Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, daughter of the island's first captain-donatary. A stone wall with two Gothic arched windows is cited as a trace of this connection.
The museum project began in 1989 and was completely reformulated in 2004. The museum presents the geographical and strategic role of Porto Santo during the Age of Discoveries, between the 15th and 17th centuries, from the settlement begun in 1420 under João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo.
The collection also includes donated pieces from workshops in Germany, Spain, Flanders, France, Africa, Asia and South America, obtained with the support of private patrons. In 2023 the museum was extended to the neighbouring building known as the “Baiana”, from the 17th century, connected to the main house by a garden.
Highlights
- House that tradition associates with Christopher Columbus's stay on Porto Santo
- Stone wall with two Gothic arched windows
- Exhibition on Portuguese and Spanish maritime expansion
- Pieces from European, African, Asian and South American workshops
- The “Baiana” building, from the 17th century, added in 2023
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente – A route on Christopher Columbus, Portuguese and Spanish maritime expansion and the role of Porto Santo in the Age of Discoveries, with an area dedicated to the Dutch colonial empire.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Direção Regional da Cultura da Região Autónoma da Madeira
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people aged 13 to 25 and seniors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 12 · Free admission from 0 to 12 years; from 13 to 25 years the ticket costs €3. |
| Seniors | €3From age 65. |
| Students & apprentices | –Students with a school identity card enter free. |
| Groups (7+ people) | €4 per personPrice per person, for groups of more than 6 people. |
| Families | €10At least one adult and one child. |
Free admission: All Portuguese citizens are entitled to 52 free admissions per year; admission is also free for residents of Madeira, children up to age 12, students, teachers and other groups provided for in the tariff regulations.
The ticket is a single ticket and also includes the Núcleo Museológico Brum do Canto. Tariff set by the Regional Directorate of Culture, in force since 1 January 2026.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
