The Tropical Garden, located on Mount Monte in Funchal, is perhaps one of the most famous tourist spots on the island. In general, Madeira is exceptionally rich in its parks and gardens, but it was not possible to get around at least some of them - they chose the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace at random and never regretted it.

The garden is located on the top of Mount Monte, the slopes of which are densely built up with the city houses of Funchal. The easiest way to get there is to use the funicular, the station of which is located on the waterfront, not far from the center. The line, a little over 3,700 meters long, runs over the entire city and in itself is a very good fifteen-minute attraction. In fact, I was so engrossed in capturing the city from a bird's eye view that I completely ran out of batteries before we even got there. In general, while walking through the garden, periodically removing the batteries and performing various shamanistic actions with them, we managed to make a couple of dozen shots.

In general, having accidentally looked (already on returning home) to the booklet that we were given along with the tickets, we were surprised to find that there was not only an excellent map of the territory, but also different routes were given - compiled according to interests. For example, a route for those interested in flora and fauna. Or a route for those interested in history and art. Or combined - including both the first and second. Of course, everything is of varying degrees of saturation and with different transit times. We wandered there quite haphazardly for a couple of hours, randomly choosing turns, and it seems that we were able to see most of it. Although, judging by the same map, something still missed.

Personally, I was generally very pleased with the eclecticism of the cultural part of the route. In addition to the traditional Portuguese ceramics, the Tropical Garden has a very good collection of African sculptures - partly along the paths and in the form of a rather impressive display in the museum building. However, the battery charge was not enough for the museum itself.

African sculptures

From the entrance to the garden to the central pond there is such a path, with ceramic panels, in pictures telling about the heroic Portuguese history. However, we immediately turned into the thickets - it was more interesting to wander around the more lively part of the garden, and here, as we noticed, pensioners are mostly flanking.

The history of Portugal on ceramic panels looks like a colorful comic - even without knowing the language, it becomes clear who gave birth to whom, who poisoned whom, or stabbed whom, who conquered whom, and who ended up burying whom.

In addition to African motifs and historical comics, some paths are decorated with works made in the traditional Portuguese technique of painting on ceramics - azulejos.

Azulejo pottery painting

Here is one of them - close-up. Another corner is near the museum. Abstractionism coexists with antiquity.

As for the flora, March, apparently, is not the most successful month for visiting - although Madeira is rightfully called the flower island, with few flowering plants in early spring. But we did see something. The park also comes across small pools with aquatic plants.

Flowering plant

Or dense thickets of bamboo - mainly in the Japanese part of the garden.

I was especially pleased with the peacocks, which quite calmly walk next to the pavilion of the four elements. You can also admire other birds there, but the rest are not kept so freely - they sit together in a large cage.

One of the fountains in the garden. The fish look especially colorful (or who do the babies sit on?).

One of the fountains

Actually, the Monte Palace itself - over the history of its existence, the building has managed to change many owners, at the moment there is the Berardo Foundation - an organization that is engaged in the preservation and development of the garden.

View of the palace from the observation deck. View of the city from the same observation deck in front of the palace. Far below you can see the port and the central part of Funchal, and the wonderful pagoda in the frame is part of the South Japanese Garden.

city ​​view

Wall on the territory of the Northern Japanese Garden. The tablets depict the history of Japanese-Portuguese relations.

Another fragment of Japan - statues of samurai. In general, the abundance of Japanese elements in the design is due to the personal preferences of the founding father - Joe Bernard. He was so fascinated by oriental culture that he tried to recreate the appropriate atmosphere when creating this garden.

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Monte Palace and Tropical Garden is a rare and worth visiting landmark in Madeira, which is not natural, but man-made. And this is true: on such a beautiful island, it’s just a pity to waste time on buildings and museums, here you want to climb deep into the dizzying mountains, wander along the amazing edge of the surf, cut by rocks, explore ancient relic forests, expecting that you are about to stumble upon a cave of a prehistoric man . But the Monte Palace is an exception.

On the map of the island abandoned far into the ocean, the palace appeared in the 18th century, when the English consul Charles Murray acquired local lands. It was thanks to him that a beautiful estate appeared here, which he called Quinta do Prazer (Quinta do Prazer). Already in 1897, Alfred Guillermo Rodrigues bought it, who significantly rebuilt the estate. Inspired by German castles on the distant banks of the Rhine, he orders the construction of a residence palace, later converted into the Monte Palace Hotel. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was one of the most fashionable and at the same time secluded places for recreation; many great people of this world came here in search of peace and tranquility.

But in the midst of World War II, in 1943, Senor Rodrigues dies, and his heirs subsequently do not want to continue the profitable hotel business. The hotel is closed, it becomes the property of Caixa Económia do Funchal. After, in 1987, the businessman Jose Manuel Rodrigues Berardo buys it, and the amazing Monte Palace Tropical Garden reappears on the map of the island - the tropical garden of the Monte Palace.

The palace has remained unchanged since those ancient times of Alfred Guillermo Rodrigues, but the park has dramatically changed for the better. Plants planted here are amazing and rare for this strip of plants from around the world, for example, heather from Scotland, azaleas from Belgium, laurels from the Canary Islands. Cedars, laurels and ferns that are familiar to this area also grow in abundance.

In the Monte Tropical Garden, amazing and rare plants from different countries of the world were planted for this strip, for example, heather from Scotland, azaleas from Belgium, laurels from the Canary Islands.

In addition, two very beautiful artificial lakes were created and populated with fish in the Monte garden. Black and white swans allegorically swim along it. The first ones personify Australia and New Zealand, their light ones to gather - Iceland and Scandinavia. But the park, where peacocks and fighting cocks from Indonesia walk around, is especially piquant, given all kinds of stones, marble figures of dragons, ancient coats of arms, intricate niches and pagodas, sculptures and figures of Buddhas, lanterns from different parts of the world. Moreover, these are not just blocks or tasteless remake gazebos. Here you can see a collection of ceramic tiles from the 15th-20th centuries, as well as a bizarre panel of 166 terracotta tiles called "The Adventures of the Portuguese in Japan."

The three-storey Monte Palace deserves special mention. Today, within its walls there is a museum, on two floors of which sculptures are exhibited, and on the third - a collection of minerals from different parts of the world. For example, the exhibition "African passions" is famous for the modern sculpture of Zimbabwe (1966-1969). The exhibition "Secrets of Mother Nature" demonstrates one of the best collections of minerals from Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Zambia, Peru, Argentina.

Another attraction of the Monte Palace is a natural observation deck at an altitude of 600 m, which offers a magnificent view of Funchal and the lead-azure Atlantic Ocean.

Monte Palace and Garden

Coordinates

Address: Caminho do Monte, 174, Funchal. Phone: +351 291 780 800.

How to get there: There are two picturesque ways to get to one of the most beautiful gardens in Portugal. The first is by cable car, the journey takes about 20 minutes, the fare is 11 EUR one way, round trip 16 EUR. The second option is by car or buses No. 20, 21, 22 and 48 (travel 2.5 EUR). Moreover, they say that on a regular road the views are no less breathtaking than from the cable car cabin. Several entrances lead to the park - at the cable car, and at the bus stop.

Prices on the page are for April 2019.

The cost of visiting the park is 12.50 EUR (including wine tasting on the terrace), children under 15 years old are free of charge. You can ride along the powerful paths of the park in a small trailer, which will cost another 4 EUR. You can enter the palace-museum for free (but it is impossible to get into them bypassing the garden and 12.50 EUR). Another local fun is going down from the park on a wicker sleigh, which will be pushed to the serpentine by two hefty peasants. It is safe, but the increase in adrenaline in the blood is guaranteed, the cost is 25 EUR.

At the top of Mount Monte above the city of Funchal stands a white three-story building surrounded by an exotic park. This is the Tropical Garden, Monte Palace and Museum. The harmonious beauty of the charming corner of Madeira has been created by several generations of its owners. Many consider these gardens to be the most beautiful on the island.

Jardim Tropical Monte Palace is located at an altitude of 550 m above sea level: a magnificent park of 7 hectares extends in steps along the slope of Monte. From the center of Funchal, a bus is laid here.

Oriental Gardens

The last owner of the estate, Jose Berardo, traveling around Japan and China, was fascinated by the original culture of these countries. Based on his impressions, he created the East Garden in the northern part of the park. Buddhist statues are installed here, Chinese lanterns are burning, benches and pavilions are stylized as pagodas. Palm trees, bamboo and ferns grow; reservoirs with a complex water purification system, with islands, waterfalls, and decorative bridges are equipped. The artificial ponds are home to colorful Koi.

central lake

View of the central lake (photo: sgplewka)

Australian black and Scandinavian white swans swim on the central lake, ducks and gray herons live. Peacocks walk along the garden paths, chickens of rare breeds roam. Most of the park is given over to the endemic flora of Madeira. Here grow dragon trees, euphorbia piscatoria, colorful orchids. The unique Madeira pigeon lives in the laurel thickets. The pride of the park's botanical collection is rare cycads brought from South Africa.

Azulejo pottery

In the garden of Monte, a large fund of azulejo ceramics has been collected. White-and-blue panels, stone arches and other architectural elements are located along the paths, set among the plants. This is the most important Portuguese collection: here are samples of ceramic artifacts of the 15th-20th centuries, including the plot panel "History of Portugal" by Alberto Cedron.

The sculptural collection displayed in the garden includes marble statues of the 18th century, late medieval stone coats of arms, an antique bust of Emperor Hadrian, and a collection of modern bronze sculptures by James Butler.

Monte Palace Museum

Monte Palace Museum is a modern exhibition space. On the lower level of the building, a collection of Mother Nature's Secrets minerals from Africa, North America, Argentina, and Latin American countries is exhibited. The stones are presented at expositions that imitate the natural environment and outer space. The collection of precious minerals attracts special attention.

On the top two floors there is an exhibition of "African passions" - a collection of stone sculpture from Zimbabwe (1966-69). The museum has a collection of 2,500 African statues acquired by José Berardo in 1981.

Cafe and lookout

Terrace overlooking Funchal (photo: Pascal Kestemont)

While walking through the park, do not miss the cafe located at the very bottom of the garden. Nearby there is a small terrace overlooking the city and the ocean. In the cafe itself, you can try Madeira wine for free.

History of the estate

Monte Palace (photo: Emmanuel PARENT)

The history of Monte Manor began in the 18th century. An Englishman, Consul Charles Murray, having bought land to the south of the local church, founded the estate. In the 19th century, the new owner, Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, built a residence palace on the hill, modeled on the Rhine castles. He surrounded the building with a beautiful park and soon opened a hotel. The romantic resort residence "Monte Palace" began to attract Maderians and foreign guests. The place was cozy, secluded; from the hill there were spectacular views of Funchal Bay, the surrounding mountains and the city.

After Alfredo's death, the heirs did not want to take care of the hotel. In 1943 they handed over the property to the financial institution of Funchal. Since 1987, businessman Jose Rodrigues Berardo has become the new owner of the Monte estate. From that moment began the second life of the abandoned estate.

Berardo opened his own fund, created the conditions for reconstruction by inviting famous architects and designers. He and his wife Karolina put a lot of effort into restoring the romantic oasis. The Monte Gardens have been derelict since 1945. During the reconstruction, they were filled with exotic flora: Belgian azaleas and Scottish heather, South African cycads, and proteas. A zone of relict forests Laurisilva was created: ferns, laurels, flowering herbaceous plants.

The Berardo Foundation operates in the building of the Monte Palace. The budget of the organization today is about 125 million euros. The founder hopes that his work will continue and the magnificent Monte Garden will never be abandoned again.

Opening hours and ticket prices:

The garden and museum welcome guests every day except Christmas (December 25).
The garden is open from 09:30 to 18:00, the museum is open from 10:00 to 16:30. The palace building is not accessible to the public!

Ticket prices:

• adult – €12.50
• children (0 - 14 years old, accompanied by adults) - free of charge

The ticket price includes admission to the museum and tropical garden, adults can also try a free sample of Madeira wine.

How to get from Funchal to Monte Tropical Garden?

1. Funchal-Monte cable car

The fastest (15 min.) and spectacular way to the Monte Garden is. Its lower station is located on the embankment. Here is the point. Prices:

2. Bus

From the center of the capital, from the stops Rua Artur Sousa Pinga and Rua 31 Janeiro, S, there are buses 20, 21 and 22. The journey will take about 20 minutes. Get off at Largo da Fonte - for buses 20 and 21 or Babosas - for bus 22.

From the hotel area of ​​​​Funchal (Formosa beach, Lido area) you can get to the tropical garden by bus 48. You will have to drive for 40 minutes, get off at the stop - Largo da Fonte.

The cost of one trip when buying on the bus is €1.95. If you plan to travel around the city by bus, then it is better to purchase a GIRO card. One journey will cost €1.35 on it.

How do I save on hotels?

Everything is very simple - look not only on booking.com. I prefer the RoomGuru search engine. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and 70 other booking sites.

Tropical Garden, located on Mount Monte in Funchal - perhaps one of the most famous tourist destinations in
island. In general, Madeira is exceptionally rich in its parks and gardens, but even some of them cannot be bypassed.
it seemed possible - they chose the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace by random and never regretted it.

The garden is located on the top of Mount Monte, the slopes of which are densely built up with the city houses of Funchal. Simplest
the way to get there is to use the funicular, the station of which is located on the waterfront, not far from the center.
The line with a length of just over 3700 meters passes over the entire city and in itself is very good
fifteen minute ride. Actually, I got so carried away shooting the city from a bird's eye view that I completely
planted the batteries before we even got there. In general, during a walk in the garden, periodically
removing the batteries and performing various shamanistic actions with them, we managed to make a couple of dozen shots.

In general, having accidentally looked (already upon returning home) to the booklet that we were given along with the tickets, we
were surprised to find that there was not only an excellent map of the territory, but also different routes were given -
organized by interest. For example, a route for those interested in flora and fauna. Or a route for those interested
history and art. Or combined - including both the first and second. Of course, all to varying degrees.
saturation and with different transit times. We wandered there completely randomly for a couple of hours, by accident
choosing turns, and it seems that most of them were able to see. Although, judging by the same map, something is still
missed.

2.


Personally, I was generally very pleased with the eclecticism of the cultural part of the route. In addition to traditional Portuguese
ceramics in the Tropical Garden, a very good collection of African sculptures was found - partly along the paths and
in the form of a rather impressive exhibition in the museum building. However, the battery charge was not enough for the museum itself.

3.


From the entrance to the garden to the central pond there is such a path, with ceramic panels, in pictures telling about
heroic Portuguese history. However, we immediately turned into a thicket - it was more interesting to wander through a more lively
parts of the garden, and here, as we noticed, pensioners are mostly flanking.

4.


The history of Portugal on ceramic panels looks like a colorful comic - even without knowing the language, it becomes so
it is clear who gave birth to whom, who poisoned whom, or stabbed whom, who conquered whom, and who ended up burying whom.

5.


In addition to African motifs and historical comics, some paths are decorated with works made in
the traditional Portuguese technique of painting on ceramics - azulejos.

6.


Here is one of them - close-up.

7.


Another corner is near the museum. Abstractionism coexists with antiquity.

8.


As far as flora goes, March doesn't seem to be the best month to visit - although Madeira is rightfully
called flower island, early spring blooming plant unit. But we did see something.

9.


The park also comes across small pools with aquatic plants.

10.


Or dense thickets of bamboo - mainly in the Japanese part of the garden.

11,


I was especially pleased with the peacocks, which quite calmly walk next to the pavilion of the four elements. Ibid
you can admire other birds, but the rest are not kept so freely - they sit together in a large cage.

12.


One of the fountains in the garden. The fish look especially colorful (or who do the babies sit on?).

13.


Monte Palace itself - in the history of its existence, the building managed to change many owners, at this
At the moment here is the Berardo Foundation - an organization that is dedicated to the conservation and development of the garden.

14.


View of the palace from the observation deck.

15.


View of the city from the same observation deck in front of the palace. Far below you can see the port and the central part
Funchal, and the wonderful pagoda in the frame is part of the South Japanese Garden.

16.


Wall on the territory of the Northern Japanese Garden. The tablets depict the history of Japanese-Portuguese relations.

17.


Another fragment of Japan - statues of samurai. In general, the abundance of Japanese elements in the design is due
personal passions of the founding father - Joe Bernard. He was so fascinated by Eastern culture that he tried
recreate the appropriate atmosphere when creating this garden.

18.

One of the most replicated images of Madeira is the photographs of the Central Lake. It is surrounded on all sides
walking paths and is visible from almost anywhere in the garden. In general, here we had an extra reason
be glad that we arrived in the off season - because the visitors could be counted on the fingers and no one interfered
photograph. I suspect that in the height of summer there is no crowding near the lake.