The Madeiran’s São João Baptista do Pico Fortress offers a unique view of the Funchal bay, where the majestic ocean seizes the horizon. A Public Interest monument since 1940.
- Coordinates: 32.651363; -16.91644
On a hot day, the steep streets leading up to the fortress are tiring. Consider taking a taxi from Funchal historic centre.
Address
Rua do Castelo 17, 9000-206 Funchal
Inside, an exhibition room details the site’s history, with engravings that show its figure at its peak. Despite the passing of time, the fortress remains a proud sentinel.
Its name refers to the São João stream and for having been built on Dos Frias Peak (Pico).
Phone
(+351) 291 645 377
Funchal’s elite became extremely wealthy in the 15th century due to the production of sugar, which drew the covetous gaze.
No effective military defensive system existed! And, a privateer attack occurred in 1566 under the leadership of the Frenchman Bertrand de Montluc (who perished in the assault).
As a result, Portugal planned new fortifications and walls for the “Atlantic Pearl”.
Entrance Price
Free. There is no reason not to add the fortress to your itinerary of tourist spots and activities to do in Funchal.
And to learn more about places to visit in the island’s capital, click Things To Do In Madeira.
King Sebastião ordered the projects that gave the city a protective wall.
However, the conclusion of various fortresses, including São João Baptista do Pico Fort, only began during the Philippine era (1602).
This fortification actively defended the city against pirate attacks. It became challenging to approach the port due to the crossfire between numerous defences.
Opening Hours
From Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 17:00
In 1654, the royal engineer Bartolomeu João characterized it as impregnable, on a high hill overlooking the city, with a drawbridge and cistern with a storage capacity of 3,000 barrels of water.
Manuel Tomás (1630), a poet, described it merely as superb.
In the mid-20th century, the Navy was awarded the João Baptista do Pico Fortress and installed its communications centre.
Map
Other places to visit in Funchal:
- The refined São Pedro church
- The Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Ilhéu Fortress, where one of the archipelago “discoverers” resided.
For more information on what to visit in Funchal, click Things To Do In Funchal.
