The 5-meter marble statue dominates the lofty Monte. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace is a place of devotion and faith. It exudes a sublime presence of tranquillity, celebrating the presence of the Divine.
The Sanctuary view is magnificent, with the amphitheatre of Funchal standing out against the sparkling brilliance of the ocean.
- Coordinates: 32.684182, -16.898772
For other sights in Funchal, click Things To Do In Funchal. For an itinerary in Madeira, see Top Things To Do In Madeira.
Nossa Senhora da Paz Sanctuary Location
Father Joseph Marques Jardim laboured tirelessly to erect the monument on the hillside of his parish.
After the German bombing of Funchal harbour (1916), the people united to go to Our Lady of the Mount.
As the authorities assessed the damage, the people prayed for divine protection and preservation of the city.
Once there, people shared a sense of solidarity and unity, fervently praying to Our Lady.
In 1917, Father Joseph Marques Jardim pledged to build a memorial if God intervened for peace.
The following year, peace arrived, replacing the uncertainty that had hung in the air with a feeling of relief and optimism.
It was the beginning of a new chapter and a promise of better times.
Father Marques Jardim set out abroad to seek donations from those who had emigrated from the island of Madeira. His words met fervent enthusiasm.
In 1923, the monument’s first stone was laid, completed on August 14, 1927.
Enveloped in a neo-romantic aura, the five-meter-high statue of Our Lady stood on a pedestal of four columns. A monumental representation of serenity and devotion.
At the sculpture base emerges a bronze image depicting the Virgin apparition to the shepherds.
Its base has chains from ships sunk in the Funchal port and stones from the Santo António riverbank carried in procession by around 300 people.
Besides the monument, we find a small chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Paz.
Things to do nearby:
Nearby is the beautiful 17th-century Church of Our Lady of the Mount.
Next to the church, the Carreiros do Monte challenge us to descend back to the centre of Funchal by the traditional monte sledge ride.
You can also descend comfortably by the Funchal Cable Car.
But before you do, visit the stunning Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Heading north, we reach Ribeiro Frio and Levada dos Balcões. This trail leads hikers along a levada (water channel) to the mountains, where we admire panoramic views.
It is one of the island’s most popular trails due to its breathtaking views and easy access from Funchal.
