Funchal’s Historic Heart: A Journey through Time with a Local

(27 reviews)

Funchal audio tour: Funchal’s Historic Heart: A Journey through Time with a Local

This is a 1.9mi walking tour

It takes an average of 90 mins to complete.

Funchal

Portugal

$8.99

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About the Tour

Funchal’s historic center is full of quaint roads and enigmatic alleys that reveal hidden churches and views of its vivid coastline. On this walking tour, you’ll find some of the city’s greatest landmarks but also a few lesser-known sites that represent its heritage.

From Quinta Vigia Park and through Santa Catarina Park to Cica Café in the popular Mercado dos Lavradores, you’ll see Funchal through a local’s eyes. Around every corner, I’ll indulge your curiosity about the ancient city.

You’ll hear about Funchal’s distant past while visiting attractions like the Holy Trinity Church, which was partially funded through the sale of Madeira Wine. You’ll also pass the renowned Palácio de São Lourenço, the city’s first-ever fortress, completed in the early 1600s.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Explore São Pedro’s historic centre, once home to wealthy Madeiran and British families, as well as João Gonçalves Zarco, the island’s “discoverer”
Visit the first Protestant church in Portugal, commissioned by Henry Veitch, a British Consul in Madeira and strong supporter of Madeiran autonomy
Appreciate artistic and architectural treasures at São Pedro’s Church, one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Madeira
Visit the Main City Square, Praça do Município, where you’ll be struck by the “golden” Jesuit Church, Town Hall, and the Museum of Sacred Art
Walk on exquisite Calçada Portuguesa patterns that colour the streets, and learn about the beginnings of this traditional craft
Learn about the long-lasting Anglo-Portuguese alliance, which reached its peak when the wine trade flourished and the sugar trade declined
Stroll along Funchal’s serene coastline and taste Madeiran delicacies that date back to the time of the settlers

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just yearn for the rich history and culture of Madeira, your perception of the city will be transformed during this captivating 90-minute tour of Funchal.

During the tour, you’ll find several cafes, and relaxing locations for breaks. Explore Funchal’s soul and listen to its fascinating untold stories with me!

Tour Producer

Maria Cármen Pinto

1 tour

Olá!

My name is Cármen and I was born on Madeira Island. I have been teaching languages for 23 years but have been a Certified Guide, since 2016.

I have travelled the world from the USA to Japan, so, I have acquired extensive knowledge of different cultures. With my travels, I have become increasingly curious, and cultured, not only about foreign countries, but also about my own country, more specifically, my Island. I am passionate about my birthplace, so, I wish to share some vibrant stories and secrets with you.

Madeira Island is rich in History, Art, traditions, engaging tales, and flavours. If you want to discover its charms in a unique and personalized way, come with me on my self-guided tours. I share options to suit all tastes and interests. You'll get to know monuments, churches, landscapes, gardens, legends, customs, traditional gastronomy, and some gems that make Madeira island an unforgettable destination.

I will take you where you want to go!
Do not miss this opportunity to experience Madeira authentically and enjoyably!

Preview Location

Location 29

Zarco and the settlement

We’re before Zarco, a key figure in the Age of Discovery. He was one of the "discoverers" of Madeira and became the first Captain of Funchal contributing to the island's development and later significance in trade and navigation. Let's stop here for a moment.

But before sp... We’re before Zarco, a key figure in the Age of Discovery. He was one of the "discoverers" of Madeira and became the first Captain of Funchal contributing to the island's development and later significance in trade and navigation. Let's stop here for a moment.

But before speaking about Zarco and this Statue, let me tell you about some curiosities and events that took place before and during the arrival of the Portuguese vessels.

Are you aware that other civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs may have traversed the region during their explorations?
In fact, Genoese captains had already referred to Madeira on nautical charts in 1351 which are currently in Florence, Italy.

In the 15th century, Henry the Navigator sent Zarco and his fellow navigators to explore the unknown. In 1419, they found Madeira by chance. A storm blew them off course and unexpectedly encountered Porto Santo in 1418 while charting the Guinea coast. The island thus was named “Porto Santo”, holy harbour.

A year later, they came back and discovered this Island. Madeira means “wood” and they named it after the lush forests that covered it. The huge trees of Madeira helped them build better ships with taller masts. This enabled navigators to succeed in later journeys, like Vasco da Gama’s trip to India.
King John I settled the island soon after. The first settlers included the social upper class, the clergy, the middle class, and prisoners.

In recognition of Zarco´s contributions, particularly to Madeira, this statue was erected in his honor.

The monument designed by two architects consists of a bronze statue and a pedestal.

While the statue masterfully captures Zarco's heroic spirit, the pedestal incorporates four bas-reliefs that represent the ideology of Expansion: Conquest, Colonization, Evangelization, and Wisdom.

Now let's get going again, to reach “Cais do Funchal”. Walk along Zarco Avenue in the way you have been.

A fascinating aspect of Zarco's life is the debate surrounding his possible Jewish descendants. Historians such as Isabel Pereira and Mascarenhas Barreto have delved into this topic, suggesting that Zarco may have descended from a prominent Jewish family in Santarém and Lisbon.

Mascarenhas Barreto adds, in one of his works, that Zarco was likely a "New Christian" who converted either under the pressure of the Inquisition or voluntarily.

Keep going. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Quinta Vigia
Parque de Santa Catarina
The British Cemetery
Holy Trinity Church
St. Peter's Church
Praca do Município
The Church of Saint John the Evangelist of the College of Funchal:
Estátua João Gonçalves Zarco
Palácio de São Lourenço
Funchal Quay
Praça do Povo
Praça da Autonomia
Farmers' Market

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Av. do Infante 1, São Martinho, 9000-015 Funchal, Portugal
Total distance

3km
Final location
Mercado Lavradores, Lj. 1/2, Funchal, 9060-155 Funchal, Portugal
Distance back to start location

1km

Directions to Starting Point

The best way to get to Quinta Vigia, the tour's starting point, is taking a bus or simply walking towards Avenida do Infante, nr. 1. You will see a pink building with a large gate.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

On the tour, you will have the opportunity to pause for a drink or a quick snack.
In addition, during and after the tour you will get recommendations on places to visit or taste Madeiran gastronomy.
Highly recommendable visits on this tour are Quinta Vigia, Santa Catrina Park, São Pedro´s Church, Holy Trinity Church, Praça do Município, Zarco Statue, Cica Café at Mercado do Lavradores, S. Lourenço Palace, Funchal Quay, People´s Square, Praça da Autonomia.

Best time of day

Considering the opening and closing hours of the sites you will visit, I suggest doing the tour on weekdays. Also, waking up early, having a hearty breakfast, and starting promptly at 9. 30 a.m., to make the most of it!

Precautions

Funchal is a hilly place and the tour will take about 2 hours, depending on your pace and stops, therefore make sure to wear comfortable footwear, sunscreen, water, a hat, a jacket, and/or an umbrella.

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”