We highly recommend a visit to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, nestled in Funchal’s old town. Commonly known as the Church of the Jesuit College, it is located on the Plaza Largo do Colégio . Beyond its richly ornamented interior, it boasts a perched terrace from which we gazed out over the city’s rooftops.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Why visit the Jesuit College Church in Funchal?
Is the church worth it? Our opinion:
In our opinion, the Jesuit College Church is well worth a visit. As we entered the church building, we were struck by the lavishly decorated chapels on either side of the nave. Between the azulejos, gilded sculptures, carved altarpieces and works of Sacred Art that bear witness to the splendor of the period, you’ll find no shortage of details to observe. This religious monument offers a remarkable insight into Portuguese Baroque art and the imprint left by the Jesuits on Funchal. We ended our visit with a view of the city and the ocean on the horizon.
In fact, it features in our article on the city’s best activities!
Why is the church famous?
Located on the Praça do Município, more commonly known as the Largo do Colégio square, the Church of St. John the Evangelist adjoins the Jesuit College. We were struck by the striking contrast between the exterior and interior of the building. Although its white and grey facade is relatively uncluttered, this imposing religious building is distinguished by its rich interior ornamentation. Built in the Baroque style in the 17th century, it’s a real jewel in Madeira’s heritage.
Our favorite moments
During our visit, we were struck by 3 moments in particular:
- the overall view of the church’s richly decorated nave and choir,
- discover the azulejos decorating the walls of the religious building,
- the view of Praça do Município and the orange roofs of Funchal.
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History in brief
The Church of St. John the Evangelist, also known as the College Church, is one of Funchal’s finest 17th-century religious monuments. Built by the Jesuits, it marks the architectural transition between European Mannerism and Portuguese Baroque. It also reflects the expansion of the Jesuit order during colonization.
Access: Church of St John the Evangelist, Funchal
Where is the church?
The address of the church building is as follows: Place Largo do Colégio, Funchal (Madeira).
- In the heart of the historic center,
- On the emblematic Praça do Município,
- Adjoining the Collège des Jésuites.
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- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
How to get there?
To access the religious building, you can choose between 3 options:
- on foot: as you stroll through the old town, you’ll inevitably come to the Largo do Colégio square, framed by 3 monuments: the Funchal Town Hall, the Museum of Sacred Art, and the College Church.
- by public transport: several bus stops are located in Rua 5 de Outubro, close to the church, including lines 12, 17, 20, 21. Find out more here.
- by car: take Rua 5 de Outubro, which has several covered parking lots. A word of advice: don’t try to go any further into the historic district.
Parking
We do not recommend driving in the old town. The streets are narrow and cobbled. Some are even one-way. Choose a parking lot outside the historic center, such as Parking Santa Luzia. It is open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays.
Then simply walk down Rua 5 de Outubro to reach Old Funchal. The church is just a 5-minute walk from this parking lot.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
In Madeira, the locals are very attached to their religion. We encourage you to consult the mass times below to avoid disturbing them during church services. We recommend early afternoons in particular, as they are less crowded. The majority of tourists are still having lunch.
More generally, we recommend that you visit us outside the summer months (July and August) and school vacations. This way, you can avoid peak periods. When we went there at around 3pm, we were alone on the church terrace. We were free to take in the view of Funchal at our leisure without being disturbed!
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 10-30 minutes to visit the church and contemplate its view over the rooftops of Funchal.
The church building is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility. It has a ramped entrance at the rear of the church, but you have to climb a series of relatively narrow steps to reach the viewpoint.
Advice on how to visit
There is no imposed direction of visit. However, we recommend that you first contemplate the church from the Praça do Município. Then enter the religious building and walk through the nave. As you reach the choir level, on the left you’ll see a door with a sign reading “visit the tower”. At this point, you’ll be asked to donate €1 to gain access to the bell tower.
Before going up, we discovered the intermediate rooms housing some magnificent goldsmith’s and silversmith’s pieces. Then it’s on to the upper floors. During your ascent, you’ll make short stops at the various landings before reaching the outdoor terrace.
Visiting with children
This tour is not particularly suitable for children, especially the bell tower. The stairs are relatively high, so avoid them with very young children. The outdoor terrace is also too dangerous because of its low, unsafe wall.
Schedules and rates
We haven’t found any confirmed information about opening times. However, mass times are as follows:
- weekdays and Saturdays: 5 p.m,
- Sundays: 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The bell tower is only open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
To access it, you need to donate €1 in cash only.
Guided tour
To learn more about the Church of St. John the Evangelist, we suggest you take a guided tour of the old town. Discover the architectural and historical details of Funchal’s landmark religious building. – See prices, photos and availability.
Catering
In the old town, you’ll find many fine restaurants. Check out our article on the best restaurants in Funchal to discover Madeira’s culinary specialties!
Alternatively, check out our 3 favorites near the church:
- Restaurant Tipografia: offers a varied menu featuring traditional island dishes, including a revisited version ofespada com banana made with Black Saber fillet and banana.
- Restaurant Peixaria no Mercado: featuring fish and seafood dishes from the Mercado dos Lavradores. As a side dish, we were delighted with the braised cabbage with kimchi olive oil!
- Restaurant Santa Maria: we were attracted to this establishment by its original concept. On the menu, we discovered typical Portuguese dishes, as well as a whole range of sushi dishes.
Start of tour: outside the church
Before entering the College Church, take time to appreciate its exterior architecture from the Praça do Município.
La Praça do Município (Largo do Colégio)
Located in Funchal’s old town, this central square is surrounded by 3 historic buildings: the Town Hall, the Museum of Sacred Art, and the Church of St. John the Evangelist. From the square Largo do Colégioyou can enjoy an unobstructed view of the religious building. The black and white cobblestone floor compliments the monuments that surround the esplanade.
Positioned just in front of the fountain, we observed the two-tone facade of the church. It is hollowed out with niches housing sculptures and reliquary busts. They represent Jesuit saints such as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Francis of Borja and Saint Stanislaus.
The façade marks the stylistic transition between Mannerism and Portuguese Baroque, reflecting the Jesuit influence on religious architecture at the time. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful 17th-century religious monuments, and one of the must-do activities in Funchal!
Jesuit College
Step back and look at the left side of the church. Did you notice the wall extension? It houses the Jesuit College. Adjacent to the religious building, it’s also worth a visit! We were free to visit the outer courtyard, but the interior of the buildings is not always accessible.
If you’d like to learn more about the Jesuit Church and College, we recommend a guided tour through the old town. On this occasion, you’ll immerse yourself in Madeira’s rich history in the company of a local guide. – See prices, photos and availability.
Founded by King Sebastião in 1569, the Jesuit College had a profound influence on local life over the centuries that followed. For over 400 years, it was occupied by: the Jesuits, who built this historic site to spread the Christian faith, the English invaders, the military, and today it houses the University of Madeira.
After a look around the schoolyard, we headed for the church entrance to continue our tour. We were very curious to discover the inside of the building!
Continuation of the tour: inside the religious building
The contrast between the exterior and interior of the Church of St. John the Evangelist is striking. While the façade was relatively sober, we were struck by the omnipresence of golden hues throughout the building.
The richness of sacred decor
As soon as we entered the church, we were immediately struck by the richness of the sacred ornaments. On either side of the nave, you’ll see gilded paintings and sculptures teeming with small details. Lose yourself in the contemplation of these religious works, which are shrouded in a special aura!
We encourage you to walk along the 2 sides of the central aisle to observe each of the 8 side chapels. The carved woodwork is breathtakingly fine. These are works of exceptional precision, embellished by gilded paint. The altarpiece is considered one of the jewels of Maderian woodcarving at the time!
Have fun identifying the azulejos adorning the building’s walls! These decorated tiles, often hand-painted, are an emblematic feature of Portuguese art and architecture. Used to embellish walls, floors and ceilings, they tell stories through their intricate, colorful patterns.
Did you notice the church ceiling? Look up and see it in all its splendour! We were struck by the vibrancy of the colors and the sharpness of the trompe-l’oeil domes. We learned that it had been restored later in our visit.
The high altar and the Chapel of the Eleven Thousand Virgins
Move closer to the choir to get a closer look at the high altar! It is a central and remarkable feature of the church. It is highlighted by its size and ornamentation. We couldn’t miss it! It’s made of carved wood and enhanced with gold, a typically Portuguese technique that lends it a special splendor. This rich Baroque decor extends to every corner of the religious building. It illustrates the stylistic transition from Mannerism to Portuguese Baroque in the 17th century.
Was there a chapel in particular that caught your eye during your visit? For our part, the Chapel of the Eleven Thousand Virgins really amazed us. It houses an altarpiece dating from the 17th century. It features 9 polychrome statues, each 70cm high, set in niches. They are separated by smaller niches housing 3 types of reliquary: arms, pyramids and small mirrors. A painting on canvas depicting the martyrdom of the eleven thousand virgins is currently on display at the Museum of Sacred Art in Funchal.
Complete the tour: breathtaking views of Funchal
Before leaving the church, we highly recommend climbing the bell tower. In our opinion, the view over the rooftops of Funchal is well worth a visit!
The different levels of the bell tower
To climb the bell tower, you’ll have to go all the way up to the choir. Once positioned opposite him, you should then discern a door on the left with a small sign indicating access to the tower. Take time to explore the 2 intermediate rooms before climbing up. One of them is relatively large and very richly decorated!
To reach the terrace of the College Church, you’ll have to cross a number of different levels. Along the way, you’ll discover interesting details about the church’s architecture, its magnificent ceiling, and the restoration of the chapels and sacristy. On the top floor, we also discovered a crèche.
The bell tower and its view of Funchal
During the climb, keep an eye on the steps, which can be uneven. There’s also a low-ceilinged passageway, which is well signposted to avoid banging your head. The door to the terrace is relatively narrow, and leads to a small outside staircase.
During our visit, we were completely alone on the perched terrace of the College Church. We were free to contemplate the city and immortalize the moment in photos. We felt a great sense of freedom as we looked out over the orange roofs of Funchal. Have you found where the bell tower is hidden?
We could also contemplate the Praça do Município below. We overlooked the Hôtel de Ville, bordered by a row of purple-flowered trees. The Sé Cathedral’s bell tower towered above all the other roofs of Funchal. On the horizon, we could even make out a patch of ocean! So what are you waiting for to visit Saint-Jean-l’Évangéliste Church?
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