Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 32.648184723387516, -16.908284182010995

The Sé Catedral do Funchal, or Igreja Paroquial da Sé, or Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (beginning of construction c. 1493), is a religious temple located in the city of Funchal, Madeira Island.

History

Ordered to be built by D. Manuel I, it is one of the few buildings that have survived virtually intact since the colonization times.

In the 15th century's 90s, D. Manuel sent the architect Gil Eanes to work on the design of Funchal's cathedral, which was completed in 1514. However, masses were already being celebrated in the temple since 1508, when Funchal was elevated to the category of city. The spire of the bell tower and a few other details were only completed between 1517 and 1518.

Highlights go to the chancel's stalls (linked to the sculptor Olivier de Gand but whose main responsibility may have been Master Machim, after Olivier de Gand's death), which displays saints, prophets and apostles in 16th-century costumes. In the decorative details of the seats and armrests, aspects of life in Madeira can be seen, such as a cherub carrying a bunch of bananas and another carrying a skin full of wine.

The church has an exceptional processional cross, offered by D. Manuel I. This silver cult implement is considered one of the masterpieces of Portuguese Manueline goldsmithing. Since all the lands discovered by Portugal in the Americas were subject to the Diocese of Funchal, this became, for some years, the largest Catholic diocese in the world, in terms of extension.

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 32.648184723387516, -16.908284182010995

The Sé Catedral do Funchal, or Igreja Paroquial da Sé, or Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (beginning of construction c. 1493), is a religious temple located in the city of Funchal, Madeira Island.

History

Ordered to be built by D. Manuel I, it is one of the few buildings that have survived virtually intact since the colonization times.

In the 15th century's 90s, D. Manuel sent the architect Gil Eanes to work on the design of Funchal's cathedral, which was completed in 1514. However, masses were already being celebrated in the temple since 1508, when Funchal was elevated to the category of city. The spire of the bell tower and a few other details were only completed between 1517 and 1518.

Highlights go to the chancel's stalls (linked to the sculptor Olivier de Gand but whose main responsibility may have been Master Machim, after Olivier de Gand's death), which displays saints, prophets and apostles in 16th-century costumes. In the decorative details of the seats and armrests, aspects of life in Madeira can be seen, such as a cherub carrying a bunch of bananas and another carrying a skin full of wine.

The church has an exceptional processional cross, offered by D. Manuel I. This silver cult implement is considered one of the masterpieces of Portuguese Manueline goldsmithing. Since all the lands discovered by Portugal in the Americas were subject to the Diocese of Funchal, this became, for some years, the largest Catholic diocese in the world, in terms of extension.