Christopher Columbus Museum

In the alley behind the church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, is the house reputedly once occupied by Christopher Columbus, when he was married to Filipa Moniz, granddaughter of the founder of Porto Santo. It is not known for certain if Columbus lived there, but the house certainly dates from the period, is grand enough, and has a central location appropriate to Filipa’s status. Nowadays it is the Casa Museu Cristovão Columbo (open Tues-Sat 10-12.30 and 2-5.30, Sun 10-1). Inside you can examine diagrams of the great explorer’s journeys, copies of 15th and 16th-century maps, and a model of one of his boats. You can also see a couple of supposed portraits (we don’t really know what he looked like), as well as various other implements and artefacts of the time – including matamorra, the narrow stone-lined pits used as domestic granaries.