the ceiling is the reason to go in
Look up when you enter. Above you are 1,500 square metres of Mudéjar ceiling in island cedar, with stars, gilded prisms and geometric figures. It's the largest ceiling of its kind in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe.
Construction began in 1493 and the church was completed in 1514. The main portal is Gothic, with eight ogival arch archivolts, in stonework from Cabo Girão: the stone came down from the cliff for the church.
The chancel is covered by a polyptych in gilded woodwork, under a Gothic canopy, with oil paintings on wood. The ceiling friezes run on a green background, with angels, griffins, eagles and the cross of Christ. The bell tower is on the left, with a spire clad in Hispano-Moorish tiles.
The cathedral is in the heart of downtown Funchal, a couple of steps from the Mercado dos Lavradores. When you leave, the city unfolds towards the sea.
what you'll find inside
- the Mudéjar ceiling in island cedar, over 1,500 square metres
- the three variants of the ceiling: central nave, side naves and transept chapels
- painted friezes on a green background, with angels, griffins, eagles and the cross of Christ
- the Gothic portal with eight archivolts, in stonework from Cabo Girão
- the bell tower with a spire clad in Hispano-Moorish tiles
