This 15th-century manor, traditionally associated with island discoverer João Gonçalves Zarco, now operates as a decorative arts museum displaying period furniture, silver and porcelain within gardens containing archaeological stonework collected from around Funchal.
Quinta das Cruzes stands on a hillside above central Funchal on a site traditionally identified as the residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, the Portuguese navigator credited with Madeira's 1420 discovery and settlement, though the present manor house dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries with later remodelling. The estate passed through several noble Madeiran families before the Portuguese state acquired it in the mid-20th century and converted it into a decorative arts museum. Its gardens, laid out in the 19th-century English landscape style, contain an open-air lapidary collection of carved stone doorways, window frames, coats of arms and fountains rescued from demolished Funchal townhouses, effectively an outdoor architecture museum alongside the botanical grounds. The manor's original structure, with thick volcanic-stone walls and wooden balconies typical of Madeiran quintas, has been preserved rather than reconstructed, and the estate's long continuity of ownership by island elites makes it a physical record of Funchal's post-discovery aristocracy.
| Admission | Adult €3 (~$3.24) · Child Free under 12 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10AM–12:30PM, 2PM–5:30PM Tue–Sun |
| Address | Calçada do Pico 1, 9000-206 Funchal, Madeira |
Why it matters
Traditionally associated with Madeira's discoverer João Gonçalves Zarco, Quinta das Cruzes reflects the island's post-1420 settlement by Portuguese nobility and the wealth generated by the early sugar trade.
Weather through the year in Madeira
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Madeira.
Location
Calçada do Pico 1, 9000-206 Funchal, Madeira
32.6494, -16.9111 View on map
Highlights
- Site traditionally linked to navigator João Gonçalves Zarco
- 19th-century English-style gardens with an open-air stone lapidary collection
- Original volcanic-stone manor architecture with wooden balconies
- Rescued carved doorways and coats of arms from demolished Funchal houses
Tips for visiting
- Allow time to walk the gardens as well as the manor interior
- Visit on a dry day, as the lapidary collection and garden paths are outdoors
- Closed Mondays, so plan visits for Tuesday through Sunday
- Combine with the nearby Colégio dos Jesuítas and Sé do Funchal for a compact old-town history walk
Frequently asked questions
Is the site the same as the Quinta das Cruzes Museum?
Yes, the manor house and its collections operate together as the Quinta das Cruzes Museum, with the gardens and lapidary collection forming part of the same estate.
How long does a full visit take?
Visiting the manor rooms and gardens together typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
Can children visit?
Yes, the gardens in particular are enjoyable for children, though the manor's period-furniture rooms hold more appeal for adults.