Attraction Guide: Sé Catedral, Funchal, Portugal

Sé Catedral Guide

Sé Catedral: Discover Funchal's Architectural Gem! Guide

Step into the heart of Funchal and discover the Sé Catedral, a magnificent cathedral that stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural heritage. This stunning landmark, with its blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Manueline styles, is a must-see for anyone visiting Madeira. More than just a place of worship, the Sé Catedral is a work of art, a symbol of faith, and a window into the island's past. Construction of the Sé Catedral began in 1493, just a few decades after the island's discovery, and was completed in 1514. Commissioned by King Manuel I of Portugal, the cathedral showcases the Manueline style, a uniquely Portuguese architectural style characterized by maritime motifs and intricate details. The cathedral's exterior features a striking facade with a rose window and a bell tower, while the interior boasts a beautiful wooden ceiling, ornate chapels, and a magnificent altar. The bishop's chair is said to have been donated by King Manuel I himself. Visitors to the Sé Catedral can admire its stunning architecture, explore its chapels, and learn about its history. Take your time to appreciate the intricate details of the wooden ceiling, the stained-glass windows, and the religious artwork. The cathedral is an active place of worship, so be mindful of services and other events. While the cathedral doesn't have a specific culinary tradition associated with it, its central location in Funchal means you're never far from delicious Madeiran cuisine. Explore the nearby streets for restaurants serving fresh seafood, traditional dishes, and of course, Madeira wine.

Transportation

The Sé Catedral is located in the heart of Funchal and is easily accessible on foot from most hotels in the city centre. Several bus routes serve the city centre, including SAM bus routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200.