Praça do Municipio, Funchal, Madeira

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❖Praça do Municipio, Funchal, Madeira, 2019[open in full screen]

Previous Largo do Praça, Funchal

The square is one of the most important in the historical center. There are beautiful buildings, 18th century Town Hall [Municipio], the Church of Saint John the Evangelist (17th century), the Museum of Sacred Art located in the Episcopal Palace (16th century) and the old Jesuits' College of Funchal, now the University of Madeira's rectory.

In the center of the square there is a fountain [shafariz] dating from 1942.

Enter the courtyard of the Town Hall to see fountain decorated with a marble statue of "Leda and the Swan", work of Germano José Salles in the interior landscaped yard coated with Batisttini tiles executed at the Maria de Portugal Factory in 1940.

This building was commissioned in 1758 by the Count of Carvalhal Esmeraldo to be his residence, and then passed through several owners and tenants. In 1883 it was acquired by the Funchal Municipal Council to serve as Town Hall, due to the development of the city, which forced the authorities to look for a larger place to hold its headquarters.

The building has undergone adaptations and changes over the years, but kept it's original architecture. This palace is a harmonious example of late 18th century architecture.

Interesting detail is kiosk, modern temporary space for some municipal office, is very skillfully incorporated in the historic environment.

This historic, ceremonial space is place where numerous public events are held, most famous one during the Christmas. We were trying to pass true this square every day, admiring vistas towards the hills surrounding Funchal with different weather conditions and time of day. Whole square is covered with attractive traditional Portuguese black and white stones with pattern occasionally broken by red flowers falling from the mature trees.

Other place that we frequently visited is Museu Cafe [behind the Museu de Arte Sancta] with wonderful quiet patio and excellent food.

Visit the other attractive squares,#2 on our map, for more interesting urban space in Funchal.

MEANDER ⇢ Ceremonial Squares

Next Praça do Carmo, Funchal

❖..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m..❖
more about evaluation method		more about types of squares
sociability	10	ceremonial	x
uses & activities	10	religious	x
access & linkages	9	social	x
comfort	10	residential	x
image	10	court yard	x
tourist value	10	with park	x
total	59	street, shopping	x