Corpo Santo Chapel
About the Corpo Santo Chapel
Considered one of the oldest temples on the island of Madeira, the Corpo Santo Chapel was built at the end of the 15th century by the fishermen from Funchal in honour of Saint Pedro Gonçalves Telmo, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. For several years, the chapel was used as an association that provided aid to fishermen and their families, providing help in maritime accidents or in the event of illness.
The Corpo Santo Chapel of Funchal, also known as the Espírito Santo Chapel, tells a story that goes back several centuries. It has undergone several building campaigns over time, and to this day has a very simple 15th-century pointed archivolt portal. The inside, on the other hand, is the result of several 16th- and 17th-century renovations, most notably a painted tablet of Saint Pedro Gonçalves Telmo blessing a Manueline caravel. Interestingly enough, this must be one of the oldest depictions of a ship on the island of Madeira.
When visiting the centre of Funchal, it won't be difficult to include the Corpo Santo Chapel on your route. You will get to know the best of Madeiran culture and then head to the place where you'll find the best of regional gastronomy, given the chapel's proximity to the famous Rua de Santa Maria, in the so-called Old Town of Funchal.
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.