Palácio de São Lourenço
Former fortress and residence of the governors, today the official residence of the Representative of the Republic, with noble rooms and visitable gardens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The construction of a fortress in Funchal was decided by D. Manuel I in 1513. Enlarged during the reign of D. João III, after the attacks by French corsairs in 1566 and during the Philippine period, with new bastions, the Fortaleza de São Lourenço gradually became the Governors' Palace of Madeira, a role fully assumed in the 18th century. The complex has been classified as a National Monument since 1943.
In 1836 the building was divided between a military area, to the east, and a civil area, to the west, which includes the noble rooms, the gardens and the bastions. Since 1976 the civil area has been the official residence of the Minister of the Republic and, from 2004, of the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The noble rooms house Portuguese and European decorative arts of the 17th to 19th centuries, partly from national palaces, such as a series of French furniture in the Boulle style from the Ajuda Palace, and a gallery of royal portraits. The Museum Area was opened to the public on 22 September 1995.
Highlights
- Salão Nobre (Grand Hall), used for official ceremonies
- French furniture in the Boulle style from the Ajuda Palace
- Gallery of portraits of governors and kings
- Interior gardens and bastions of the former fortress
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Percurso visitável das salas nobres e dos jardins – Route through the noble floor (Entrance Hall, Salão Nobre, Red Room, Green Room, Bastion Room), the Garden Room with official gifts, and the gardens and bastions.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Representante da República para a Região Autónoma da Madeira
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
During the ongoing works, the installation of a lift to the noble floor is planned.
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.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Before the closure, self-guided visits of up to 20 people did not require prior booking, and information was available on paper and in the free “Palácio de São Lourenço” app; group visits required booking two days in advance. The palace has a cultural mediation service. |
