Sé Cathedral of Funchal

The Sé Cathedral of Funchal stands on Rua do Aljube in the Old Town of Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. It was built between roughly 1493 and 1514, during the reign of King Manuel I, and combines late-Gothic structure with Manueline decoration. The exterior is austere, with a pale stone facade and a tall tower topped by a tiled spire, in keeping with the practical military-religious architecture of early Portuguese colonial cathedrals. Inside, the principal attraction is the carved ceiling of the nave, made from island cedar and decorated with ivory inlay in the Mudéjar tradition, a style brought to Portugal by craftsmen from the Iberian Islamic heritage. Visitors who stand near the entrance and look up see the geometric patterns of the wooden roof running the length of the nave. The wealth of Madeira during the sugar boom of the 15th and 16th centuries is evident in the choir stalls, which have carved scenes and figures, and in the chapels along the side aisles. A typical visit lasts thirty to forty-five minutes. Entry is free, and the cathedral is usually open to visitors outside Mass times, although hours should be confirmed at the door as services take priority. Morning is the best time to come, when light from the windows falls on the nave and shows the ceiling clearly. For photography, the view from the west door looking toward the altar captures the full length of the ceiling, and the facade is best photographed from the small square opposite in the afternoon. Crowds are usually modest, but groups from cruise ships and walking tours arrive around midday, and it is quietest early in the morning. Because it is a working church, visitors are expected to dress modestly, avoid loud conversation, and refrain from using flash. The cathedral is within a five-minute walk of Avenida Arriaga and a short distance from the Museu de Arte Sacra, which holds Flemish paintings from the same sugar-trade period, so the two are often visited together. Funchal's municipal buildings and the Old Town restaurants are close by for a break afterward.