Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel

Located in the municipality of Calheta, the Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel is a religious monument of great historical and heritage value. It is, therefore, a very relevant point of interest on the west coast of the island of Madeira.

This religious temple was built in the 16th century. Its construction is presumed to have begun in 1510, having initially been the chapel of the houses of Pedro Gonçalves da Câmara, son of the second captain of Funchal. The marble Renaissance holy water font was placed later, in 1530, and it still stands out today inside the building.

The Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel has Manueline and Revivalist architectural lines. It has a longitudinal plan and a single nave. The Revivalist style is expressed, above all, in its wide and open rectangular galilee on the main façade, supported by marble columns with Corinthian capitals. Inside, the walls are decorated with small paintings depicting the steps of the Way of the Cross.

In addition, as mentioned above, highlight goes to the octagonal Mudéjar 'alfarje' panelled ceiling, painted in white and blue, with white and golden cordage. The Nossa Senhora do Loreto Chapel, in the parish of Arco da Calheta, is considered a Monument of Public Interest.