Churches in Madeira
The archipelago displays a wide range of unique religious monuments.
Churches
An unrivalled religious heritage
The spiritual experience of the people of Madeira has left its mark on the History and culture of the archipelago. The countless churches and chapels in Madeira are an important testimony of this.
North Coast
Check out the religious heritage built along the north coast, where you will find churches and chapels that unmistakably symbolise the faith of the Madeiran people.
Porto Moniz
Our Lady of the Incarnation Church
Built near an old chapel, Our Lady of the Incarnation Church is a religious space dating from the late 17th century. It features a beautiful interior, with its outstanding neoclassical altarpieces.
Porto Moniz
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene
Built in the 17th century, Saint Mary Magdalene Church is considered one of the oldest temples on the north coast of the island of Madeira.
Porto Moniz
Church of Santo Antão
Santo Antão Church, located at Seixal, is a religious space of great historical value with an admirable view over the ocean.
Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz Parish Church
The Porto Moniz Parish Church, also known as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, contains several high-interest art objects. Interestingly, this church has two side chapels with unique altarpieces.
São Vicente
Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel
The Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel, an ex-libris of São Vicente, stands out for its tower shape and for being on top of a hill with a privileged view.
São Vicente
Our Lady of the Rosary Church
Located at São Vicente, Our Lady of the Rosary Church was built by the Caldeira family. Here you can find one of the most beautiful religious temples worshiping Our Lady of the Rosary.
São Vicente
São Vicente Parish Church
The São Vicente Parish Church, built in the late 17th century, exhibits a magnificent interior, with an effect known as the 'Total Art of Empty Horror'. This religious space is located at the centre of São Vicente town.
São Jorge
São Jorge Church
Built in the 17th century, the São Jorge Church is a symbol of the built heritage of the municipality of Santana. Is the largest baroque church in Madeira.
Faial
Nossa Senhora da Penha de França Chapel
Carved out of a large rock, the Nossa Senhora da Penha de França Chapel is a unique monument, located in the parish of Faial, municipality of Santana.
Santana
Santana Parish Church
With around 500 years of history, the Santana Parish Church was built in the area of a small chapel belonging to the parish of São Jorge.
The History of this Atlantic archipelago is inseparable from the intense connection of its population to religious life. This valuable secular legacy can be witnessed through the numerous chapels and churches scattered throughout the territory.
South Coast
In an archipelago that has always been moved by faith, some of the oldest and most important buildings are precisely churches and chapels.
Câmara de Lobos
São Sebastião Church
The Baroque São Sebastião Church was built in 1426, and it is one of the most outstanding elements of the city's historical heritage.
Câmara de Lobos
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Chapel
The Nossa Senhora da Conceição Chapel was built at the end of the 15th century in the Câmara de Lobos bay and still shows some details of its original construction.
Curral das Freiras
Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento is a religious temple, and the only historical
heritage in the parish of Curral das Freiras.
Funchal
Nossa Senhora da Graça Parish Church
Located in the parish of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, the Nossa Senhora da Graça Parish Church hosts a number of festivities throughout the year.
Funchal
Santa Cecília Parish Church
The Santa Cecília Parish Church is shaped like a boat. With minimalist features, it is one of the most modern temples on Madeira Island.
Funchal
Nazaré Chapel
Built in the 15th century in Funchal, the Corpo Santo Chapel was, for several years, an association that helped fishermen and their families.
Funchal
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda is a place of worship that, after 500 years of existence, has retained its essence in terms of architectural elements
Funchal
Chapel of Santa Catarina
Located in Funchal, in a lively green park, the Chapel Santa Catarina is the capital's oldest religious monument.
Funchal
Santo António da Mouraria Chapel
Characterised by its Baroque style, the Santo António da Mouraria Chapel was built in 1715 in honour of Saint Anthony.
Funchal
Monte Church
With its privileged location and fascinating artistic objects, the Monte Church is considered one of the most beautiful and historic in Madeira.
Funchal
Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré
With its modern and innovative style, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré stands out for its imposing tower and pieces carved from green marble.
Funchal
Church of Santa Luzia
Adjacent to a charming garden, the Church of Santa Luzia is known for its various neo-Baroque and late-Baroque compositions.
Funchal
Santo António Church
With its rococo inspiration, the Santo António Church stands out for its truly beautiful and refined interior, built at the end of the 18th century.
Funchal
Penha de França Chapel
Located in the heart of the city of Funchal, the Penha de França Chapel is one of the few religious spaces on the Island of Madeira that celebrate mass in English.
Funchal
Babosas Chapel
The Babosas Chapel, rebuilt at the end of 2022, was initially designed to be the centre of the jubilee celebrations of the island of Madeira.
Funchal
Corpo Santo Chapel
Built in the 15th century in the centre of Funchal, the Corpo Santo Chapel was, for many years, an association that helped fishermen and their families.
Funchal
Holy Trinity Church
Built in 1822, the Holy Trinity Church was built due to the strong British presence at the island of Madeira during the 19th century. This religious place is commonly known as the English Church.
Funchal
Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Angústias
Located in the municipality of Funchal, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Angústias is a religious space that houses a set of pieces of great artistic interest.
Funchal
São Martinho Church
Located in the south of the island of Madeira, São Martinho Church is a religious space founded by Afonso Anes that hosts several festivities and cultural events throughout the year.
Funchal
St. Peter's Church
Built in the 16th century, St. Peter's Church is a religious landmark in the city of Funchal which keeps its doors open every day.
Funchal
Carmo Church
Built in the 17th century, Carmo Church is located next to Rua Fernão Ornelas. The interior of this space will surprise you, with its many 17th and 18th-century artistic objects.
Funchal
Socorro Church
Located in a beautiful area overlooking the sea, Socorro Church features Baroque architecture with decorations inherited from the ancient São Tiago temple.
Monuments & Architecture
Colégio Church
The Colégio Church is one of the most emblematic Portuguese religious monuments of the 17th century. This Jesuit temple has an invaluable heritage.
Monuments & Architecture
Funchal Cathedral
Funchal Cathedral displays features of the Manueline and Gothic periods and is the main religious church in Madeira, with a heritage of unequalled value.
Since the beginning of the archipelago's colonisation process, Madeiran culture has been deeply marked by the importance of the connection to Catholicism. Even today, a substantial part of the festivities celebrated in the region have a direct or indirect connection to religion.
Therefore, in Madeira, chapels and churches have always represented indispensable places for the settlements of the archipelago. Besides being spaces dedicated to worship, they were also important meeting places, places of celebration and artistic expression.
East Coast
Did you know that it was in the city of Machico that the first mass was celebrated in Madeira, in 1419? Explore the religious heritage along the east coast and discover beautiful and historic temples of devotion.
Machico
Miracles Chapel
The Miracles Chapel is a vernacular-architecture temple with Baroque features, located in the Historical Centre of Machico.
Machico
São Roque Chapel
São Roque Chapel, built in 1489 and rebuilt in 1739, has several Baroque architectural elements. Prominent position in Machico's religious heritage.
Machico
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church
Located at Machico, the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church, also known as the Machico Parish Church, is a religious temple with three inner chapels.
Machico
Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe Church
The Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe CHurch, commonly known as the Porto da Cruz Parish Church, was built in 1574. This parish features unique landscapes.
Machico
Piquinho Church (Caramachão)
Located in the Caramanchão area of Machico, the Piquinho Church was built in 1967. This small temple is very popular at Christmas time, during the childbirth masses.
Machico
Santa Beatriz Parish Church
Built in 1745 on the ruins of an old chapel, the baroque-style Santa Beatriz Parish Church exhibits some very valuable pieces.
Santa Cruz
Madre de Deus Chapel
Occupying a former property called 'Fazenda das Moças', the Madre de Deus Chapel is a Manueline-style religious space.
Santa Cruz
Santa Isabel Chapel
Attached to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Santa Cruz, the Santa Isabel Chapel was built by merchant André Gonçalves in 1562. This small religious temple exhibits a gilded carved high altar inside.
Santa Cruz
Santo Amaro Chapel
The Santo Amaro Chapel, located in Santa Cruz, celebrates the festivities in honour of its patron saint on 15 January. This small temple was built in the first half of the 20th century.
Santa Cruz
São José Chapel
Located at the centre of Vila da Camacha, the São José Chapel features a simple architecture, of which the niche on the façade stands out. This small religious space was inaugurated in 1924.
Santa Cruz
Coração de Jesus Church (Cardais Chapel)
Built by Henrique Modesto Bettencourt, the Coração de Jesus Church is a religious space built in 1907 that had to be rebuilt in 1987 due to a fire.
Santa Cruz
São Salvador Church
Inspired by the model of the Funchal Cathedral, the São Salvador Church, commonly known as the Santa Cruz Parish Church, is one of the most beautiful religious spaces on the island of Madeira.
Santa Cruz
Nossa Senhora da Luz Parish Church
The Nossa Senhora da Luz Parish Church was built in the mid-18th century on the site of an old church. This religious space has a historic bell weighing around 120 kilos.
Santa Cruz
Camacha Parish Church
The Baroque and neoclassical Camacha Parish Church is located in the parish of Camacha, at Santa Cruz. It is classified as a Property of Public Interest.
Santa Cruz
Caniço Parish Church
Built in 1783, the Caniço Parish Church represents the transition between Baroque and Rococo. This church is the seat of one of the oldest parishes on the island of Madeira.
Santa Cruz
Camacha Parish Church
Built in honour of Saint Laurence in 1997, the Camacha Parish Church is of modern architecture. The seven pillars inside the church represent the God's Seven Sacraments.
A large number of churches in Madeira stand out for their architectural and historical relevance. These monuments, from different eras, represent a heritage of inestimable value. In the streets of Madeira you can come across buildings in different styles: Baroque, Manueline, Gothic, Rococo, popular Mannerist or modern, for example.
West Coast
While visiting the west coast, don't miss the opportunity to visit these churches and chapels and be dazzled by their architectural details.
Ribeira Brava
São Bento Church
Located in Ribeira Brava, São Bento Church is an important monument in this region, exhibiting a priceless architectural, historical and artistic heritage.
Ponta do Sol
Nossa Senhora da Luz Church
The Nossa Senhora da Luz Church, located in Ponta do Sol, was built in the late 15th century. It has a great architectural and heritage value.
Ponta do Sol
São Sebastião Chapel
Built in the late 16th century, São Sebastião Chapel is a Mannerist architecture religious temple that can be visited in the municipality of Ponta do Sol.
Calheta
Espírito Santo Chapel
The Espírito Santo Chapel has Manueline and Mannerist architectural lines and houses a valuable artistic and religious collection.
Arco da Calheta
Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel
The Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel was built in the 16th century. It is a monument of historical relevance, with Manueline and revivalist lines.
Estreito da Calheta
Reis Magos Chapel
The Reis Magos Chapel, in Calheta, was built in the 16th century in the popular style characteristic of the first century of the island's settlement.
Calheta
St. Peter's Church - Ponta do Pargo
Located in a unique parish on the island of Madeira, with flat fields and magnificent landscapes, St. Peter's church is a Mannerist-style religious space.
Many of Madeira's chapels and churches house a valuable collection. These include artworks such as tiles, paintings, sculptures, gilded woodcarvings and pieces of sacred jewellery, which can be seen inside these monuments.
Porto Santo
On the island of Porto Santo, people's devotion and faith are also materialised in the construction of religious temples, with one church and three chapels geographically distributed over the 42 km2 of this golden island.
Vila Baleira
Mother Church Nossa Senhora da Piedade
One of Porto Santo's main monuments, the history of the Mother Church Nossa Senhora da Piedade dates back to the 15th century. With Gothic elements.
Vila Baleira
Espírito Santo Chapel
The Espírito Santo Chapel is an original religious temple from the 17th century. Still active, its interioVila br houses flemish paintings dating 16th century.
Vila Baleira
Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel
The Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel, one of the oldest temples on the island, is worth a visit for its historical value and for the view over the bay.
Vila Baleira
São Pedro Chapel
On the slopes of Pico Ana Ferreira, the São Pedro Chapel is originally from the 17th century. Inside, it houses a valuable historical and artistic heritage.