Jardim Palácio de Sant’Ana – São Miguel Island

The Palácio de Sant’Ana is located in the parish of São Sebastião, Municipality of Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island. Surrounded by an iconic garden, it dates back to the golden age of the Azorean economy or the “orange era,” when oranges were exported to Great Britain.

The Palácio de Sant’Ana, also known as Jácome Correia, is considered a heritage site of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The building has been the headquarters of the Presidency of the Government since 1980 and serves as the Official Residence of the President of the Government of the Azores.

Its beautiful neoclassical French-style facade and the incredible garden invite visitors to explore. The Palácio de Sant’Ana neighbors the José do Canto Garden and the Ermida de Sant’Ana.

The palace hosts official events and ceremonies and has welcomed numerous Portuguese dignitaries, including presidents, monarchs, members of royal families, and other international personalities.

History of Palácio de Sant’Ana

Both the Palácio de Sant’Ana and its park were built in the 19th century by the nobleman José Jácome Correia. It is now classified as a public-interest property and a Regional Monument.

Built in late Baroque architecture, its erudition and richness extend across the entire estate and gardens, covering an area of 4 hectares. The palace, garden, and park reflect an era of great economic growth, marked by the emergence of a capitalist class with strong connections across Europe.

The palace consists of three sections, with its main facade adorned by a group of sculptures representing Apollo flanked by two Muses, and the side facades feature four marble statues: Writing and Reading (to the east) and Industry and Navigation (to the west).

Inside, the rooms are notable for their 18th- and 19th-century furniture. A particular highlight is the dining room, decorated with tiled panels by Jorge Colaço and intricate woodwork.

Additionally, there is a beautiful collection of paintings by Lisbon artist Ernesto Ferreira Condeixa, depicting the 1901 royal visit.

The building is surrounded by a garden filled with exotic trees, and its main facade features a sculpture titled “Stop Time,” in iron, by one of Portugal’s foremost contemporary sculptors, Rui Chafes.

Jardim do Palácio de Sant’Ana

The lush garden of the Palácio de Sant’Ana is a living museum, a testament to its time, marking the island of São Miguel with its remarkable 19th-century landscape artistry. It stands as a landmark of the movement that blended innovative gardens with local tradition, transforming simple gardens into true works of art.

With a striking layout, four different zones can be identified: the front “parterre” and side gardens, the vegetable garden, the intimate garden, and the “quinta de quartéis” or formal garden. There’s also a greenhouse, home to orchids, anthuriums, bromeliads, ferns, and maidenhair ferns, the Orange Tower, and the Stables.

The walls are covered with colorful tiles bearing the family coats of arms.

One exotic botanical species stands out: a “New Zealand Christmas Tree,” which resembles a miniature forest due to the tangle of its branches and aerial roots. All of its vegetation exemplifies 19th-century botanical collecting at its finest.

In the side garden, there is a work by Azorean artist Graça Costa Cabral titled “Ilha,” carved in iron and marble.

Video

Opening Hours

During your stay on São Miguel Island, you can visit this site, open from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Location on the Map