Funchal Cathedral

Funchal Cathedral is located on the island of Madeira, which is famous for its beautiful architectural monuments and simply beautiful buildings and streets. Among these buildings, the cathedral occupies a special place, which has become a real “hallmark of the island”, as well as a gathering place for numerous tourists. It was founded and consecrated in 1514.

History of Funchal Cathedral

It has a rich history, firstly, Funchal Cathedral was the first religious building to emerge outside the Portuguese mainland. This is important to consider, since Portugal is a powerful maritime state whose possessions and lands were spread throughout the world. Construction began in the mid-15th century and was completed at the end of 1514. The cathedral underwent many changes; at the beginning of 1509, a bell tower was added to the cathedral, in which weddings were held for a long time. In different years, important religious events took place here, including a festive mass, and also at the beginning of 1992, Pope John Paul II came here.

Architecture of Funchal Cathedral

The external and internal appearance of the cathedral has remained the same, despite the fact that the building is more than 500 years old. Work on the construction of the facility began during the reign of King Manel, who entrusted its construction to Gil Eins. The architect began the construction of the Funchal Cathedral in the Gothic style; stone quarried from the capes of Madiera was used in the construction of the cathedral.

It should be noted that the interior of the Funchal Cathedral is distinguished by magnificent views. The decoration is: the ceiling, which was built from luxurious cedar wood, paintings by Dutch artists, and tourists also like the altar made of mosaics. There is a silver cross in the hall, which has become a real masterpiece of jewelry craftsmanship by Portuguese craftsmen. You can get to the cathedral itself in several ways – by car or by metro.