Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Funchal Cathedral (Sé)
Save for a flurry of pinnacles at the eastern end, Funchal Cathedral's exterior
is very plain. By contrast, the interior is lined with statues, paintings and gold-
covered chapels; the ceiling is of spectacular knotwork inspired by Moorish
geometry; and set in the floor are the tombs of early bishops and sugar mer-
chants. Designed by Pêro Anes, assisted by master mason Gil Enes, the cathe-
dral was begun in 1493. Consecrated in September 1514, when Funchal was
officially granted city status, it was finally completed in October 1517.
Top 10 Features
1 WestPortal
2 NarthexandBaptistry
3 NaveandSouthAisle
4 NorthAisle
5 Ceiling
6 SouthTransept
7 Sanctuary
8 SeatingintheSanctuary
9 Altarpiece
0 EastEnd
Funchal Cathedral
The cathedral marks
the social heart of
Funchal. The
pavement cafés to
the south (the Café
Funchal and the Café
Apolo) are popular
meeting places for
people who live and
work in the city
centre, and great
places to relax and
simply watch the
world go by.
The cathedral is a
functioning religious
building, and visits
are not encouraged
during services
(weekdays at 8am,
8.30am, 11.15am and
6pm; Sundays at
8am, 9am, 11am, 5pm
and 6pm). If you go
to a service, you
will be able to see
the normally dark
interior of the
church lit up.
!
West Portal
KingManuelIofPortugal
(1495-1521)helpedtofund
theconstructionofthecathe-
dral,anditishiscoatofarms
(above)
overtheGothicdoor-
way.Therosewindowabove
thecrowniscarvedfromrust-
redlocalbasalt.
£
Nave and South
Aisle
Here,loormemorialsto
bishopsandmerchants
carvedinmarbleand
basaltrelectthe16th-
centuryPortuguesestyle.
@
Narthex and
Baptistry
Thevestibuletothechurch
ispavedinworn,16th-centu-
rytombslabsofblackbasalt.
Awallplaque
(right)
records
thevisitofPopeJohnPaulII
on12May1991.Totheleft
isthemassive16th-century
fontoftheGothicbaptistry.
•
Largo da Sé
• Map P3
•
Open 9am-12:15pm,
4-6pm daily
•
Free
The Portuguese word for cathedral is Sé, which means “seat ,
a reference to the bishop's throne, the symbol of his authority.
