Madeira Botanical Garden Engineer Rui Vieira

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Bairro de Santa Maria

Location and Panoramic Views

The Madeira Botanical Garden Engineer Rui Vieira is situated in Funchal, in the area known as Bairro de Santa Maria. Located on an elevation between 150 and 300 meters above sea level, above the left bank of Ribeira João Gomes and about three kilometers from the city center. This geographical position allows visitors to enjoy broad views of the urban landscape of Funchal and the vast Atlantic Ocean.

A Mosaic of Plant Life

With approximately five hectares of landscaped area, this space gathers a remarkable botanical diversity. Visitors can explore a vast collection of about 3000 plant species, from different ecosystems around the world. The garden is organized into several collections, notably highlighting endemic Madeiran species, an arboretum, areas dedicated to succulent plants, and sections with choreographed gardens and topiary art. There are also spaces with agro-industrial, aromatic, and medicinal plants, in addition to collections of palms and cycads, all properly identified to facilitate discovery.

History and Scientific Legacy

The idea of creating a botanical garden in Madeira dates back to the 17th century, an aspiration that took shape over the following centuries, with naturalists highlighting the island's ideal climatic conditions for such a project. The Madeira Botanical Garden was officially inaugurated on April 30, 1960, as a result of the commitment and vision of Engineer Rui Vieira, in whose honor the garden was later named.

In addition to its beauty and landscape value, the garden plays an active role in biodiversity conservation. Through the maintenance of a herbarium, a collection of dried and pressed plants, and a seed bank, it contributes to the study and protection of plant species. This work is particularly important for the conservation of endangered plants, ensuring their preservation outside their natural environment.

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