Museu de História Natural do Jardim Botânico da Madeira
Natural history museum in the Botanical Garden of Funchal, with minerals, fossils, corals and taxidermied animals from Madeira and the Selvagens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum originated in a natural history cabinet set up at the Diocesan Seminary of Funchal by the German priest and naturalist Ernest Schmitz, who settled in Madeira in 1874 and was vice-rector of the seminary. The cabinet grew into the Seminary's Natural History Museum, devoted to the natural resources of the Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos.
Over the years, collections of bryophytes and phanerogams organised by the English naturalist James Yate Johnson were added, as well as collections of lichens and fungi gathered by Father Jaime de Gouveia Barreto. In 1981 Father Manuel de Nóbrega began installing the holdings of the former Diocesan Museum of Funchal in three rooms of the main house of the Madeira Botanical Garden. The collection, owned by the Diocese of Funchal, was entrusted to the garden in 1982.
The museum now operates in the main house of the Quinta do Bom Sucesso, and the visit is included in the garden ticket. The exhibition presents minerals and rocks from Madeira, fossils from São Vicente, Porto Santo, Porto da Cruz and Caniçal, corals and taxidermied animals, including the monk seal (lobo-marinho) and several native birds.
Highlights
- Minerals and rocks from the Madeira archipelago
- Fossils from São Vicente, Porto Santo, Porto da Cruz and Caniçal
- Corals from Madeira and the Selvagens
- Taxidermied animals, including the monk seal
- Holdings of the former Diocesan Museum of Funchal
Permanent exhibition
- Museu de História Natural – Minerals, fossils, corals and taxidermied animals from Madeira and the Selvagens, in rooms of the garden's main house.
- Operated by
- Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM (Jardim Botânico da Madeira)
- Director
- Ernst Johann Schmitz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Ages 6 to 12; children under 6 do not pay. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free admission for people with a disability of 60% or more and their companions, on presentation of proof. |
The ticket is single and gives access to the garden areas, the Natural History Museum and the temporary exhibitions. Price of €10 for visitors over 12 (since 1 January 2026). Admission is free for residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, on presentation of proof.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The trails in the garden areas often have steps and are not prepared for wheelchairs, and the slope of the terrain (150 to 300 m above sea level) can make movement difficult. Only guide dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses no. 29, 30, 31 and 31A operated by Horários do Funchal; Botanical Garden cable car from Largo das Babosas, on the Monte.
Access is possible by car, bus, taxi or cable car. There are two entrances: the main gate, next to the main house, and the entrance by the cable car station, on the north side of the garden.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The estimated time for the visit to the garden is 2 hours. There are guided visits and children's workshops for educational groups. Entrance fees can be paid by Multibanco card; there are no Multibanco ATMs nearby. |
