Regional Government Palace
The oldest part of this palace was built in the late 17th century for the city’s hospital and charity. This was where the Funchal School of Medicine was located. Today it is the Regional Government Palace and houses some of the regional secretariats.

Regional Assembly
The Regional Assembly meets in a building commissioned by King Manuel I for the Funchal customs authorities. This fine example of civil architecture bears all the characteristics of the age of the monarchy. Its style is gothic and it is decorated in typical manueline style. Today, the old customs building is a landmark in the city centre.

Funchal Town Hall
The building was once the palace of the Count of Carvalhal, but now houses Funchal City Council. It is a harmonious example of late 18th century architecture. Its courtyard has a fountain and is lined with tiles.

Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre
The architecture of Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre in Avenida Arriaga is wonderfully balanced. The ceilings are painted with Romanesque motifs and the boxes around the horseshoe-shaped stalls are decorated with gilt Greek masks.

Bishops’ Palace
This building with its religious mannerist and baroque architecture is located between Largo do Município and Rua do Bispo. It was built to be the residence of the Bishop of Funchal. Today it houses the Funchal Diocese’s Museum of Religious Art.

St. Lawrence’s Fort or Palace
This palace with its military manueline and mannerist architecture has been altered considerably over the years and has gradually become a “national palace”. This building is very important to the political history of the Madeira Autonomous Region and has a fortified turret in typical manueline style on its east side. Three north-facing bastions were built during the rule of the Spanish kings. Today, the palace is the residence of the Minister of the Republic and the Military Commander and is the headquarters of the Madeira Military Zone.

St. John the Baptist’s Fort (Pico Fortress)
Pico Fortress is in the parish of São Pedro and is now one of Madeira’s main attractions. This fort was built in the early 17th century and was part of the city’s defences against frequent attacks by pirates. The Funchal Radiotelegraph Post was set up here and later became the Funchal Naval Radiotelegraph Station. Because of the array of antennas, the locals started to call in Pico Rádio. Today it is occupied by the Portuguese Navy. It has a museum room that is open to visitors daily. The fortress commands one of the best views of Funchal, rather like taking a helicopter ride over the capital.

Santiago Fort
This city fort, with its military-style architecture, is located above the seafront in the old part of the city more commonly known as Zona Velha. Santiago Fort was built to defend the port of Funchal in the early 17th century. Today, it houses the Museum of Modern Art and a pleasant restaurant overlooking the sea.