Funchal Photo Gallery

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The steps leading up to Monte Church

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The current Nossa Senhora Do Monte church (our Lady of Monte church) was built in 1818. It stands on the site of the original chapel that was built in 1470 by the first children to be born on Madeira, twins appropriately named Adam and Eve who were born in 1425. This chapel was destroyed in 1748 by an earthquake. There is a 74 step basalt stairway leading up to the church. On the 15th August each year, the Feast of Assumption, pilgrims ceremoniously climb the stairway on their knees. The map below shows the location of Monte church.

Map showing location of Monte, Funchal. “A” marks the spot