José do Canto Garden – São Miguel Island

José do Canto Botanical Garden is located in the city and municipality of Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island. Much more than just a garden with plants from various regions around the world, it also features endemic plants, a church, and a beautiful waterfall.

Its founder, José do Canto, was a cultured man, passionate about nature and well-versed in the secrets of botany. Throughout his life, he maintained connections with botanical gardens and nurseries worldwide, buying, selling, or exchanging plants.

In this way, his garden became an extraordinary space with species from all over the world, which were later used in the landscaped forests of Furnas and the Congro Lagoon.

History

The history of the garden began with José do Canto, a wealthy, cultured man, and nature enthusiast. He created an extraordinary acclimatization space on his wife’s land, housing thousands of species from around the world.

In 1843, he commissioned plans for the garden and his palace from London. By 1845-1846, the project was completed, but the park’s expansion and enrichment continued until 1885. From the outset, over 6,000 plant species were introduced to the garden.

José do Canto Botanical Garden was visited by the renowned German botanist Edmond Goeze in 1866, who was impressed by its meticulous care and diversity. Goeze, then the director of the Coimbra Botanical Garden, documented his travels, with the account being published by the University Press the following year, highlighting the significant differences between the two gardens.

All this botanical wealth was cataloged by José do Canto in a document titled “Enumeration of the Main Plants Existing in my Garden of Sta. Anna, in the spring of 1856: ordered by José do Canto.”

The José do Canto Garden has been open to the public since August 2014, offering a rich display of flora and a space of great landscape and botanical interest. Many trees, some native to temperate and subtropical regions, were brought from five continents.

Features

The current garden no longer holds the full botanical diversity of José do Canto’s time. However, it continues to impress visitors with the dense greenery of the forest, the monumental size of its trees, and the richness and variety of species still present.

The José do Canto Botanical Garden is a public heritage site, listed in the “Botanic Gardens Conservation Secretariat,” under UNESCO, and featured in the World Guide of Botanical Gardens.

(C) josedocanto.com

In addition to its botanical richness, visitors can admire the Garden House, located on the ground floor of the last Palladian-style building constructed in the 20th century. There is also the Chapel of Sant’Ana, the oldest building in the José do Canto Garden. It was founded in 1624 by António de Frias and his wife and is considered a well-preserved example of 17th-century religious architecture from São Miguel.

Opening Hours

• Winter (October – March): 09:00 to 17:00
• Summer (April – September): 09:00 to 19:00

Admission

• Adults and children over 12: €4.00
• Children aged 8 to 12: €2.00
• Seniors 65+ and Ponta Delgada residents: €2.00
• INATEL Members: €3.40
• Children under 8: Free

Garden Map

Location on the Map

Photos

Video

The richness and diversity of species (the garden once housed over 6,000 varieties) make this garden a must-visit for anyone exploring the beautiful, verdant island of São Miguel.

Photos (C) Siaram