Funchal Cathedral

Why go

The cathedral's parish site says building began in 1493 on the order of Manuel, then Duke and later King, that the church was blessed in 1508, became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Funchal in 1514 and was consecrated in 1517. The parish describes a Latin-cross church in the mendicant Gothic tradition with Manueline elements, a façade whose central panel is red stone from Cabo Girão with a Gothic portal of eight pointed archivolts, and a Mudéjar ceiling of island cedar over the naves and transept. It is a working parish church: the parish says that during Masses and periods of Adoration a space is reserved for prayer only and tourism is not allowed in those spaces at those times. The parish also opens the bell tower, a climb of 160 steps, with tickets sold at the shop by the main entrance, and says guides can book group visits by email. Visit Madeira attributes the 1493 order to King João II, while the parish credits Manuel.