The population of the Madeira archipelago is historically follower of Roman Catholicism, although nowadays this identification tends to be partly nominal. Some of the religious churches to visit in Madeira:

Igreja da Sé

The Cathedral from Funchal (Sé) has been classified as a National Monument since 1910, and constitutes the main religious building of the Archipelago, and is greatly visited both by the inhabitants and visitors of the city of Funchal.

Of undeniable historical, architectural and artistic value, one of the interior highlights of the Cathedral is the chancel’s altarpiece ordered by King D. Manuel I in 1510-1515. The altarpiece, surmounted by a Gothic canopy, is in the form of a large polyptych, composed of gilt woodwork, supplemented by small sculptures, and oil paintings on wood. The high value of this altarpiece derives from the high technical quality of execution and the fact that it constitutes the only altarpiece of the Manueline period which remains, entirely, in its place of origin.

Funchal’s Cathedral (Sé) also features one of Portugal’s most beautiful ceilings, made with wood from the island and the stalls of the chancel boast in Flemish style.

The main entrance displays Gothic lines and the gilded woodwork pieces of the 17th Century point to some features of the Manueline period.

The church also features an exceptional processional cross, donated by D. Manuel I, considered one of the masterpieces of the Portuguese Manueline goldsmithery.

Igreja do Monte

The Monte church was built in the 18th century, and it has architectural features from the 18th and 19th centuries. On the left side chapel is the tomb of Carlos de Habsburg, the last emperor of Austria.

This 18th century church replaced a small 15th century chapel.

A side chapel contains the tomb of Emperor Charles of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, who came to Madeira in 1921 after being exiled.

This Church contains beautiful gold pieces crafted in the 17th and 18th centuries.