This museum is located in the Palace of São Lourenço, a fortress built by El Rei D. Manuel I, at the beginning of the 16th century, with the aim of protecting the population of Funchal.
The administrative division of civil and military powers in 1836 caused a division in the physical occupation of the palace. The eastern area, formerly the responsibility of the Military Governor, is now under the tutelage of the Madeira Military Zone Command and, in this location, there is an exhibition related to the history and development of the fortress.
The exhibition occupies three rooms in the old fortress, where you can see various collections of weaponry from the 18th century to the present, a collection of ancient bronze artillery pieces and another of light weapons. It is also profusely illustrated with a diverse iconography representing the history of the Portuguese Army in Madeira.
The museum intends to draw attention to the important role played by Madeira in Portuguese military history.