History of Madeira Photo Gallery

Fortaleza do Pico, otherwise known as the Fort of São João Baptista, was built in the early seventeeth century. Built high up above Funchal Old Town, it was the city's main defence against the many pirate attacks. Its design is star-shaped and, in 1943, the fort was declared a monument of outstanding public interest. Today, it is under the control of the Portuguese Navy although it houses a military museum that is open to the public.