Madeira Botanical Garden

Category: Nature > Botanical Garden

District: Madeira > Funchal > Santa Maria Maior > Bom Sucesso

Location

The Madeira Botanical Garden is located in the Bom Sucesso area, in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, Funchal municipality. It is set on a hillside that rises above the Ribeira João Gomes valley, with altitudes varying approximately between 150 and 300 meters.

This elevated position allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views over a vast area of Funchal city and its bay, framing the visit with a natural and urban setting.

Origin and History

The idea of creating a botanical garden in Madeira dates back to ancient times, at least to the 17th century, given the island's suitability for hosting plants from various climates. This desire gradually took shape over the centuries, with the support of naturalists who recognized the region's botanical potential.

Its realization occurred in the 20th century. The garden was established on the grounds of the former Quinta do Bom Sucesso, a historic property that belonged to the Reid family since the 19th century. It was inaugurated on April 30, 1960. Years later, it was officially named Madeira Botanical Garden, Engenheiro Rui Vieira, in homage to its first director, for his crucial role in its organization and development.

A Plant World

This space is an authentic repository of botanical diversity. It houses thousands of plants from different parts of the globe, coexisting with characteristic species of Madeira's own flora. One can find a vast collection of ornamental trees and shrubs, succulent plants with intriguing shapes, and areas dedicated to aromatic and medicinal species.

The garden is organized into several thematic sections, including an arboretum and areas with endemic Madeiran species. Each plant is usually accompanied by identification, allowing visitors to learn its name and origin. Choreographed gardens and topiary add an artistic element to the green landscape.

Conservation and Research

Besides being a place of visitation and beauty, the Botanical Garden plays an active role in the conservation of plant biodiversity. It has an important mission in protecting species, especially those that are threatened in their natural habitats.

This scientific aspect is reinforced by the presence of a Herbarium, which functions as a collection of dried plants and an essential data center for flora identification and study. There is also a Seed Bank, which allows for the long-term genetic conservation of species, using methods that guarantee the viability of seeds for the future.

Additional Spaces

Within the garden's limits, in what was the house of the old Quinta do Bom Sucesso, is the Natural History Museum. This museum displays collections related to botany, but also geology and zoology, offering a broader view of natural heritage.

The garden also includes an amphitheater, an open-air space integrated into the landscape, used for various activities or simply as a resting point with a view of the surrounding garden environment.

The Landscape

The garden's hillside location creates a path with different levels and perspectives. There are several viewpoints along the route that invite pauses to appreciate the view, which extends from the diversity of plants to the horizon over the city and the sea.

The overall atmosphere is one of tranquility, a green refuge that allows for an immersive experience in the plant kingdom, with the particularity of being located in an urban area of Funchal.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt