Capela do Corpo Santo

Church in Funchal (Madeira)

Capela Do Corpo Santo - Funchal - Portugal
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Vitor Oliveira

The Capela do Corpo Santo, also known as the Chapel of Corpo Santo, is a 15th-century chapel located at the end of the old village of Funchal. Dedicated to Saint Pedro Gonçalves Telmo, the “Corpo Santo,” the chapel features intricate decorations, including ceiling paintings, gilded carved wood altars, and sculptures in the Manueline style. The gabled façade and the remaining Gothic doorway are original elements, with significant modifications made in the 16th century, including the remodelling of the altar and the addition of window-slits. Paintings in the aisle altars, attributed to the royal painter Fernao Gomes, date back to the 16th century, while the main altar paintings are likely from another workshop and bear the dates 1615 and 1616. Throughout its history, the chapel served as the focal point for an important confraternity, functioning as an infirmary for local fishermen and their families, offering humanitarian aid, financial assistance, and support for widows within the community.

The Capela do Corpo Santo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Funchal (Madeira)!

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Visiting Capela do Corpo Santo

Address: Capela do Corpo Santo, Largo do Corpo Santo, Funchal, Portugal
Duration: 20 minutes

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