Sacred Art Museum of Funchal — Attraction in Funchal

The museum offers a beautiful and thoughtfully presented collection. Despite most works being Flemish acquisitions, it was a pleasure to explore two full floors of sacred art.

However, the third floor left me deeply disturbed. In the context of three years of full-scale war and over a decade of Russian aggression against Ukraine, including the targeted destruction of churches, monasteries, cultural sites, and the looting of our religious heritage — it is profoundly inappropriate for a museum in an EU member state to showcase Russian icons with prayers, stripped of context, as if they represent peace and devotion.

Displaying these objects today, without acknowledgment of the ongoing war crimes and cultural erasure, is not neutrality- it is erasure of victims. This is not just disappointing. It is morally...

An intriguing museum with a well-curated layout, making the exhibition easy to explore. The descriptions were thorough and engaging. The first floor showcases liturgical artifacts, including intricately crafted chalices, ciboria, tabernacles, incense burners, and other sacred vessels made from gold, silver, and precious metals. Visitors can also admire exquisite oil paintings and delve into Madeira’s history through a detailed timeline. Be sure not to miss the terrace on the third floor, adorned with magnificent ceramic tiles and mosaics, offering stunning views of the city...

Churchgoing Experience Helps ... but not essential. This museum contaIns rare and valuable religious artifacts, mainly owned by the Funchal cathedral. It has pictures, statues and Mass vessels, many from the 16th century. They are all much easier to understand if you attend church but it is still an impressive collection. It is a lovely old building and the objects are well presented with detailed descriptions. It would also be a cooling place to visit in the summer. E5 pp to enter. Extra to visit the tower. Toilets closed...