Monuments and Architecture
Casas de Santana
Casas de Santana are an ex-libris that has become a visiting card to the island. They stand out for their triangular shape.
Madeira Monuments
The archipelago displays a built heritage of inestimable value.
An open-air museum
The Madeiran islands have a diverse architectural heritage of great historical importance. Their monuments enrich the visit to the cities and towns of this Atlantic pearl. Come and see them!
North Coast
Filled with iconic monuments, the north coast is well worth exploring. Immerse yourself in Madeira's culture by visiting these places.
Monuments & Architecture
São João Baptista Fort Porto Moniz
São João Baptista Fort is a replica of the fort that was built here in 1730. Located in the parish of Porto Moniz, it currently houses the Madeira Aquarium
Santana
Santa Ana Fountain
The Santa Ana Fountain has been classified as a Monument of Local Value since 2000, and is part of the municipality's architectural landscape.
Monuments & Architecture
Fortim do Faial
The Fortim do Fail was built in the 18th century to detect invaders. Now it is a viewpoint with a wide landscape of the north coast of Madeira.
Monuments & Architecture
Biosphere Monument
The Biosphere Monument, located in Santana, celebrates the distinction of 'Biosphere Reserve' bestowed upon this city by UNESCO.
Monuments & Architecture
Faial Old Bridge
The Faial Old Bridge is a remaining structure of an old bridge that stands as a historical landmark.
Monumentos e Arquitetura
São Jorge Ruins
The São Jorge Ruins are ruins of old buildings classified as Monument of Municipal Interest.
If it can be said with conviction that this Atlantic archipelago is a floating garden, it is also correct to say that it is also a veritable open-air museum. This is because the islands' built heritage offers inestimable value to the streets of its towns and cities. Madeira's monuments reflect the cultural, architectural and artistic wealth of six centuries of History.
South Coast
The architectural wealth of an archipelago populated for over 600 years is easily noticed by anyone visiting Funchal.
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.
Monuments & Architecture
Mercado dos Lavradores
In the centre of Funchal, the Madeira Farmer´s Market is the supply point of the city. Find here the most famous fresh and tropical products of Madeira.
Monuments & Architecture
Convent of Santa Clara
The Convent of Santa Clara was built at the end of the 15th century and has considerable heritage value, both in its historical and artistic aspects.
Monuments & Architecture
Fortress of São Tiago
The Fortress of São Tiago, located above the seafront in the Zona Velha, was erected to defend the city of Funchal from corsair attacks.
Monuments & Architecture
São José Fort
History tells us that the islet where São José Fort was built in the 18th century was the first shelter for the island's discoverers when they arrived.
Monuments & Architecture
Fortaleza de São João Baptista do Pico
Built in the 17th century to strengthen Funchal's defence, the iconic São João Batista Fort offers one of the most privileged panoramic views over Funchal.
Monuments & Architecture
Santo Amaro Historic Centre - Torre do Capitão
The Torre do Capitão, located in the higher zone of the municipality of Funchal, is part of the oldest vestige of civil architecture in Madeira.
Monuments & Architecture
Funchal City Hall
The historic palace which serves as the Funchal City Hall still retains its original lines and is a harmonious example of late 18th-century architecture.
Monuments & Architecture
S. Lourenço Palace
Classified as a National Monument in 1943, S. Lourenço Palace is the most imposing example of Madeira's civil and military architecture.
Monuments & Architecture
Regional Government Palace
Built in the 17th century to house the city's Misericórdia and Hospital, the Regional Government Palace currently houses several regional secretariats.
Monuments & Architecture
Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Paz
The Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Paz, in the parish of Monte, is the result of a promise made by the Madeirans during the bombing of Funchal in 1917.
Monuments & Architecture
Baltazar Dias Theatre
Officially opened in 1888, the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre has an elegant and balanced architectural style, following the typically Italian model.
Between palaces, statues, fortresses, convents, churches, fountains, shrines, cruises or theatres, visitors of this island destination have much to discover, explore and contemplate. Madeira's monuments are very diverse due to the time they were built but also due to stylistic influences from various corners of the world. This important cultural heritage has been built throughout its secular historic journey to fulfil very different roles.
East Coast
Learn more about the cultural heritage of the municipalities of Machico and Santa Cruz and discover places full of history.
Monuments and Architecture
Santa Cruz City Council
Santa Cruz City Council is an original 16th-century building, with 16th-century residential architecture and Gothic-Manueline style elements.
Monuments & Architecture
Santa Cruz Cross
The Santa Cruz Cross paying homage to the wooden cross that João Gonçalves Zarco raised here when he landed.
Monuments & Architecture
Santa Cruz Court Building
The Santa Cruz Court building was built in 1932 and has architectural features typical of the Estado Novo period.
Monuments & Architecture
Sculpture of Sister Mary Jane Wilson
The sculpture of Sister Mary Jane Wilson pays tribute to the founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories.
Monuments & Architecture
Statue of Tristão Vaz Teixeira
The statue of Tristão Vaz Teixeira pays tribute to this discoverer of Madeira. It was sculpted in bronze by Anjos Teixeira and inaugurated in 1972.
Monuments & Architecture
Statue of Christ the King of Garajau
The statue of Christ the King of Garajau was erected in 1927. Is integrated in a viewpoint that allows you to see the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve.
Monuments & Architecture
São Fernando Fort
São Fernando Fort, located above Santa Cruz Beach, was built in the 18th century to defend the coastline of this region.
Monuments & Architecture
Reis Magos Fort
The Reis Magos Fort was built in the 18th century to defend the coastline. It is located near Reis Magos Beach, enjoying a beautiful landscape.
Monumentos e Arquitetura
Santa Casa da Misericórdia
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Santa Cruz is housed in a building dating from the 16th century, which has a Mannerist hospital architecture.
Thus, there are forts all over the archipelago, built to protect the population from frequent corsair attacks, palaces with lush gardens, which served the demands of the European aristocracy that passed through here, or statues and busts that celebrate some of the most important moments and personalities of Madeiran History.
West Coast
On your visit to the west coast, be sure not to miss two important buildings.
Ribeira Brava
São Bento Fort
The São Bento Fort was built in 1708 to protect the coast from corsair attacks. Today, this historic building houses a Tourist Information Office.
Ribeira Brava
Solar dos Herédia
Built between the late 18th century and the early 19th century, the Solar dos Herédia presents a vast historical and patrimonial richness.
So be sure to peacefully contemplate this unequalled heritage. Madeira's monuments are a living account of the archipelago's History.
Porto Santo
While strolling near the Porto Santo pier, look out for an important monument.
Monuments & Architecture
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to the maritime expansion inevitably linked to Porto Santo.
Monuments and Architecture
Cristóvão Colombo Statue
The Cristóvão Colombo Statue is a monument that symbolises the navigator's connection to the History of Porto Santo.