Vacation to Portugal

Vacation to Madeira, Portugal

Town Square (Praça do Município) Funchal Madeira, Portugal

Defined by its striking black-and-white tiling, Funchal’s main square is some in the city’s most fascinating historic attractions.
Funchal’s Town Square can be a bustling hub of activity, lined with beautiful checkered cobblestones and bordered by grand whitewashed buildings. In addition to being an attractive civic center, the square is a perfect starting point for visiting several attractions, like the Sacred Art Museum, City Hall and also the former Jesuit College.

Notice the square’s distinctive black-and-white paving, a number of half-moon cobblestones constructed from lava rock. The pattern continues into the black-stone-trimmed buildings that surround the square. Admire the prominent fountain that dominates the square’s center.

Look around the west side with the square to locate Igreja do Colégio, the first sort Jesuit College and church. The Jesuits, a wealthy brotherhood of missionary priests, owned many wine estates in Madeira and managed the institution inside 17th century. Inside, seek out frescos, ceramic tiles, beautiful 17th- and 18th-century paintings plus an exquisite high altar, framed by carved wood overlaid with gold leaf.

Walk towards the opposite side from the square to discover the city’s stately town hall, Câmara Municipal. Built within the mid-18th century, this building originally served as being the Count of Carvalhal’s residence. Explore the building’s central courtyard to discover a marble statue depicting the Greek myth of Leda plus the swan. The walls are lined with azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles). Stop at your little friend museum within the building, which examines the history with the city through several photographs.

Don’t miss the Sacred Art Museum as well as impressive assortment of sculptures, paintings and gold items dating from your 15th through 19th centuries. The museum is renowned for its remarkable paintings by Flemish masters, that were commissioned by affluent merchants throughout the height on the 16th-century sugar trade between Funchal and Antwerp. The 15th-century gold-plated Processional Cross is especially impressive.

Explore Funchal’s city center easily on foot. The Town Square is situated off the northwestern corner in the lively local market at Praça do Comércio.

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