Funchal Cathedral

"It was built by order of King Manuel I to replace the Church of Our Lady of Calhau, in the island's first parish, as it was too small to accommodate so many faithful. The new Church of Santa Maria or the "Big Church", as it was then known, was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and occupied an area of ​​the historic centre then known as Largo do Duque. Begun in 1493 and dedicated on 18 October 1517, the church was elevated to the status of Cathedral by Pope Leo X, who established the bishopric of Funchal, at the time the largest diocese in the world, since it covered all the territories discovered by the Portuguese, from Brazil to Japan. The Cathedral was the most emblematic work of the Manueline period built on Madeira Island and is due to the talent of the architect Pêro Anes, master of royal works. Virtually unchanged since the time of its foundation, it has a simple façade, with a Gothic portal with fine archivolts. The interior of the building boasts a structure in the Mendicant Gothic style and a Latin cross layout. The remarkable alfarge ceiling stands out – one of the most beautiful in Portugal, made from cedar wood from the island and worked in the Mudejar style, with gilding and ivory inlays – as well as the 16th-century altarpieces and 18th-century tiles. The chancel's choir displays saints, prophets and apostles in 16th-century costumes, among details that celebrate life on the island of Madeira, such as cherubs carrying bunches of bananas and wineskins. The Cathedral houses a collection of treasures of great beauty and historical value, some of which are on display in the Museum of Sacred Art, such as the large processional cross in gilded silver donated by King Manuel I and considered one of the masterpieces of Portuguese goldsmithing."

"They often close for a lunch break, especially on the weekends. Check to see hours if you want to tour the church (which is worth it if you have time)"