Churches
Our Lady of Monte Church
The “Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte" is located on a mountain approximately 9km away from the city centre. To reach the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, one must climb an impressionable 68 steps that are known for being inclined. But it's worth the effort. The Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte was built in 1741, but soon after was destroyed by a violent earthquake. From this catastrophe, locals only managed to save a Pieta in silver, which today is kept as a relic. The fully reconstructed church was inaugurated on December 20th 1818.Next to the chapel is a grave containing the remains of Emperor Charles I of Austria, who took refuge on the island after World War 1. He arrived in Funchal on February 19, 1921 and died a year later due to pneumonia.
Every year on August 14 and 15 Monte is home to one of the largest town festivals in celebration and in honour of the Assumption of Mary. Also a large procession is held through the streets of Monte in honour of Our Lady of Monte.
Sé – Funchal´s Cathedral
Sé is the abbreviation for Sedes Episcopalis (Episcopal Headquarters). Construction of the Sé Cathedral began in 1493 by order of, and, on land donated by King Manuel I. Completed in 1514 the Sé Cathedral was consecrated in 1517 by Bishop Duarte as the spire of the bell tower and a few additional details were finalized in 1517-1518. Contrary to the simple exterior of this gothic style building, the interior is quite impressive, a true architectural phenomenon. .The ceiling of the chancel is lined in native wood, ivory inlays,decorated in Mudejar style - oriental ornaments and motifs used in the Christianized Moors on the Iberian Peninsula. The various pieces of gilt highlight the architectural features of the manueline period, which meant a time of great progress and prosperity for Madeira.
Since 1955, a few pieces of art , from the Cathedral that were gifts from D.Manuel I , referred today as the “Treasures of the Cathedral”, may now on display at the Museum of Sacred Art. Such pieces include a baptismal font, the altar and the pulpit.
The opening to the chancel is defined by a triumphal arch. Here you will find many works of art made by hand in the form of tables and chairs that are divided into two rows. The backs are decorated with images of apostles and prophets, without neglecting the arms of the chairs which are crafted to the smallest detail with influences from the Middle Ages.
St. John's Church – Funchal College Church
The Church of “São João Evangelista” also known as the “Igreja do Colégio” is a stunning typical Jesuit church built in the 17th century. One of the church´s main features is its European Mannerist architectonic style. It is the typical Jesuit church with its huge ceilings, Latin cross plan, a large chapel and a set of engravings of the golden years of 1647, 1648, 1654 and 1660. The church is considered a jewel and a great example of Madeira´s manual crafts of that time. The various chapels, rich in paintings and tiles of the 17th century, worship specific saints.
St. Peter's Church
The construction of this church began in the late 16th century, and was only completed in the 18th century. This delay was due to constant changes in the original design. The building consists of a nave with three chapels and two side altars. The walls inside the church, including the chapel, the vestry and nave are decorated with blue and white tiles of the 17th century. Some of the decorative pieces include some paintings, jewelry and furniture from the 17th century to the 20th century. Outside, located at the top of the tower you enjoy beautiful tile work.
Convento de Santa Clara
The Convent of Santa Clara was built between 1489 and 1496. A beautiful church constructed in a Mauro-Spanish style with walls and roof covered in tiles of the 17th century. Here you may enjoy the restored collection of paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Socorro Church
The Socorro Church, known to locals as the Igreja do Socorro is also known as the St. James Church. It was erected in the 18th century and is the only church in Madeira, which adopted the baroque style on its exterior.
Carmo Church
The Igreja do Carmo, Carmo Church, was built in the mid 18th century and has undergone several changes over the years. Many works of art are brought together into this one spectacular space such as sacred art and goldsmith from the 17th and 18th centuries. The walls are decorated in opulant tiles and carvings of Baroque style of the 18th century.
Church of Santa Luzia
The Church of Santa Luzia, Igreja de Santa Luzia, was built in the first half of the 18th century and inside you will find exquisite paintings of the 17th centuries and silver pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chapel of the Incarnation
The Capela da Encarnação, Chapel of the Incarnation, was built in the 16th century and is distinguished by its arches, vaults and columns of Manueline architecture.
Church of Bom Jesus
Located in the northern Madeira Island in Ponta Delgada, the Igreja do Bom Jesus, Church of Good Jesus, was erected in the 17th century and displays a rich collection of decorative tiles, wood carvings and silver from the 17th century.
Church of Our Lady of Conception
Known to locals as the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, this church was completed in the 15th century by order of Tristão Vaz Teixeira in honour of Our Lady of Conception and boasts a notable Manueline Portal made between three marble columns which was a gift from King Manuel I. The interior deserves much attention, but in particular, the chapel´s gilded baroque altarpiece which dates back to the 17th century. In the left side chapel is the grave of the Teixeira Family as well as the grave of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira.
Church of St.Vincent
The igreja de São Vicente is a baroque church of the 17th century with a spectacular wooden ceiling presenting interesting images of its patron saint, St.Vincent. According to a local story, the church was given this name and location as it was here many years ago that St. Vincent appeared.