The Nossa Senhora da Conceição Chapel is a charming spot in the Câmara de Lobos city, Madeira. For further information about Madeira, refer to the Things To Do In Funchal Madeira. For a guide to Funchal, consult Funchal Things To Do.
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It is close to the Winston Churchill statue (Hotel Pestana Churchill Bay), near a host of bars and restaurants where one can savour the renowned Poncha.
Despite its small size, it is a delightful treasure, recognized as a cultural gem of Madeira since 1993.
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The altarpiece retable, crafted in gilded woodwork, exhibits the Baroque taste of the 18th century, with twisted columns bearing reference to the iconography of vineyard culture.
Seventeen paintings by Nicolau Ferreira, a 19th-century Madeiran painter, may be viewed. The life of Saint Pedro Gonzales Telmo (patron saint of seafarers) and various biblical scenes are the subjects.
The ceiling portrays Immaculate Our Lady of the Conception and the life of Saint Pedro Gonzales Telmo. The annual celebration in honour of Our Lady of the Conception takes place on December 8th.
Um Pouco de História
Some historians claim that this was the first chapel on the island, while others refer to the Chapel of Christ in Machico.
It is undoubtedly one of the first Portuguese chapels on the Portuguese islands.
When João Gonçalves Zarco arrived, there was a large colony of sea wolves (lobos in Portuguese). He began to sign João Gonçalves Zarco of Câmara de Lobos.
A group of fishermen settled here and had a very precarious existence. They prayed to the Virgin Mary, whom they worshipped greatly, for divine protection.
The construction of the temple began in the early 15th century at the request of the knight João Gonçalves Zarco.
It was called Nossa Senhora do Calhau.
In the interior, we have two 16th-century graves, one of which is of Dona Joana de Atouguia, wife of Mendo Roiz de Vasconcelos (Zarco lineage).
There were significant improvements in the 18th century, especially in the altarpiece and the golden-carved chancel.
It lost its simple original appearance, updated to the 18th-century Baroque.
In the 20th century, the artist Bernes not only ruined some paintings by the painter Nicolau Ferreira, but also had the “skill” to sign a canvas as his own (Flight to Egypt)…
In 1993, the Regional Government of Madeira, with all justice, declared it a cultural asset of regional value.
Things to do near the Church:
The Bar Filhos do Mar at Largo do Poço is the ideal venue to sample Poncha, one of Madeira’s most traditional beverages.
The local fishermen invented the drink to acquire the extra strength necessary for daily survival.
The charming São Sebastião Church (15th Century) is at the top of São João de Deus street, a few minutes from Largo do Poço. It bears the Zarco coat of arms on its facade.
It is one of the world’s highest cliffs. On its first exploration, João Gonçalves Zarco performed a half-turn (Girão) and returned to the lands of Funchal.
From the Lookout, we gaze upon the sea below and the beautiful views kissed by the sun.
The interior boasts the picturesque Curral das Freiras, surrounded by the lofty mountains of the island.
The nuns of Santa Clara Convent (Funchal) sought refuge here during a raid by French pirates (1566). One opportune time to visit the parish is during the vibrant Chestnut Festival in early November.
