Capela dos Milagres, Machico (Madeira)

Church in Machico (Madeira)

Capela do Senhor dos Milagres Machico
Capela do Senhor dos Milagres Machico
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Llez

The Capela dos Milagres, or Chapel of Miracles, is one of the best places to visit in Machico if you're drawn to places where history, legend, and the sea are all tightly intertwined. Considered one of the earliest chapels on Madeira, it marks the site of the island's first mass, celebrated the day after its discovery, and is bound up with the romantic, tragic tale of Robert Machim and Ana d'Arfet. Standing here on the edge of the bay, it's easy to imagine those first sailors making their vow to build a chapel, with the Atlantic stretching away in front of them.

Over the centuries, the chapel has been destroyed, rebuilt, flooded, and restored, yet it always seems to return-earning its title as a chapel of miracles. The 1803 flood that swept the crucified Christ image out to sea, its miraculous recovery by an American galley, and the later reconstructions in 1883 and repairs in 1956 all add layers to its story. Today, the ogival portal fragment, triumphal arch, late-Baroque altars, and tiled floors sit inside a compact, luminous building that feels both humble and deeply charged, a highlight of any tour of Machico for travellers interested in the island's earliest spiritual roots.

History and Significance of the Capela dos Milagres

The Capela dos Milagres is closely linked to the very beginning of Madeira's settled history. According to tradition, the first mass on the island was celebrated here, on the day after its discovery. In gratitude and hope, a vow was made to erect a chapel dedicated to Christ on this spot. Over time, popular lore further tied the site to the legendary tomb of the ill-fated lovers Robert Machim and Ana d'Arfet, giving the chapel an extra layer of romance and melancholy.

Disaster struck in 1803, when a catastrophic flood almost completely destroyed the chapel and carried its crucified Christ image out to sea. Remarkably, the image was later recovered almost intact by an American galley, an event interpreted as a miracle and the reason the chapel’s dedication shifted to Senhor dos Milagres (Lord of Miracles). Even so, structural damage lingered, and in 1862 the chapel was entirely demolished due to the risk of collapse. It was rebuilt and inaugurated in 1883, yet elements of the 15th-century original-parts of the ogival portal and the triumphal arch-were carefully saved and integrated into the new structure.

The story did not end there. In November 1956, another serious flood led to extensive repairs, reinforcing the chapel's reputation as a place both vulnerable to, and mysteriously protected from, the force of water. Its status today as a cherished local sanctuary reflects not just its age, but the resilience it symbolises: a place that has survived shipwrecks, storms, floods, and reconstructions, and still stands as a focal point for devotion in Machico.

Things to See and Do in the Capela dos Milagres

Architecturally, the Capela dos Milagres follows a longitudinal floor plan aligned east-west, with a nave leading into a rectangular main chapel. Attached to the north side is the sacristy, while a Pastoral Centre sits to the south, underlining the chapel's ongoing role in community life. From outside, your eye is drawn to the stonework portal with its broken arch, framed by a tall triangular gable crowned by a round oculus filled with stained glass and topped by a stone Christ cross. The grey stone cymatium and half-cane tiled roof add a distinctly Madeiran character.

Look closely at the façade and gantry area: among the archivolts you can spot several crosses of the Order of Christ, echoing Portugal’s maritime expansion and religious symbolism. The north and south elevations each feature differently sized openings with broken arches in regional stone, adding rhythm to the otherwise simple walls. These details, together with the preserved section of ogival portal and the triumphal arch, are likely survivals from the 15th-century structure and connect the present-day chapel directly to its medieval roots.

Inside, a checkerboard floor of white and black tiles greets you just beyond the entrance, guiding your eye towards the wooden high choir resting on a windbreaker supported by plastered columns on grey stone plinths. On the Gospel side, a round wooden pulpit with its staircase and canopy stands near two late-Baroque carved side altars dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Dores and Nosso Senhor dos Passos. Further in, the triumphal arch with marbled stonework frames the main sanctuary, displaying the national arms beneath a painted red curtain with tassels. A wooden balustrade divides the nave, while the cracks and details are enriched with polychrome carving and a plastered ceiling decorated with vegetal motifs. At the heart of it all sits the main altarpiece in polychrome and gilded late-Baroque carving, with a stucco cross on the ceiling above, creating a compact yet deeply atmospheric devotional space.

How to Get to the Capela dos Milagres

Most visitors arrive on Madeira via Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, located between Santa Cruz and Machico and just a short drive from the chapel. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Machico (Madeira) on Booking.com.

From Funchal, reaching the Capela dos Milagres by car is straightforward: follow the expressway east towards the airport and continue on to Machico, then drive into the town centre and towards the bayfront area, where the chapel lies within easy walking distance of the seafront and main streets. If you are looking to rent a car in Portugal I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Buses run regularly between Funchal and Machico, making it easy to visit without a rental car; once you arrive at Machico's bus stops, it's only a short walk down towards the waterfront and historic core to find the chapel.

There are no trains on Madeira, so rail connections are not available; all travel is by road, whether on local buses, in taxis, with organised tours, or in a hired car. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Capela dos Milagres

  • Suggested tips: Pair a visit to the chapel with a stroll along Machico’s seafront and a stop at a nearby café, so you can reflect on its stories with the bay in view.
  • Best time to visit: Late morning or late afternoon often offers softer light on the façade and a calmer atmosphere inside; check local mass times to avoid disturbing services if you want to explore quietly.
  • Entrance fee: Entry is generally free, though small donations for upkeep and restoration are welcome.
  • Opening hours: Opening times follow parish schedules and may vary; the chapel is usually open around service times and parts of the day, so check locally if you plan a specific visit.
  • How long to spend: Allow 20-40 minutes to look over the façade, read the stories, and appreciate the interior altars, tiles, and ceiling details.
  • Accessibility: The chapel is close to level town streets, but thresholds, steps, and stone paving can be uneven; visitors with reduced mobility may need assistance.
  • Facilities: Facilities are minimal at the chapel itself, but public toilets, cafés, and shops are available nearby in the town centre and along the promenade.
  • Photography tip: Capture the triangular gable and oculus from a slight angle to highlight the stone cross and archivolt crosses; inside, use available light to focus on the altarpiece and checkerboard floor without flash.
  • Guided tours: Some local guides and cultural tours include the chapel as part of a broader Machico history walk, which can help bring its legends and flood stories to life.
  • Nearby food options: The streets around the chapel and the waterfront offer plenty of small restaurants and snack bars for coffee, pastries, or a leisurely meal after your visit.

Where to Stay close to the Capela dos Milagres

Staying in Machico puts the Capela dos Milagres just a short walk away, making it easy to visit at different times of day and to drop by for services or quiet moments. A seafront favourite is Dom Pedro Madeira, which offers bay views and an easy stroll into the historic centre. For a smaller, friendly base right in town, Hotel White Waters places you close to both the church and the promenade. Travellers who enjoy a more traditional, guesthouse feel might choose Residencial Amparo, giving you a cosy, central base for exploring Machico’s chapels, fort, and viewpoints on foot.

Is the Capela dos Milagres Worth Visiting?

The Capela dos Milagres is definitely worth visiting if you're interested in Madeira's origin stories, legends, and living faith. Unlike grand cathedrals built for show, this is a modest yet deeply symbolic place, tied to the island's first mass, to shipwrecked lovers, and to floods that destroyed yet never erased it. The mix of preserved Gothic fragments, late-Baroque carving, and modern reconstruction makes it a fascinating study in how sacred spaces evolve yet retain their core identity.

Because it sits close to Machico's bayfront and other historic sites, incorporating the chapel into your visit is simple, and the payoff is a richer understanding of the town as more than just a pleasant beach and promenade. For many visitors, it becomes one of the things to do in Machico that lingers in memory: a small chapel with big stories, standing quietly between the mountains and the sea.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (66)

Capela dos Milagres, at R. do Sr. Dos Milagres 6 in Machico, is a small, recently renovated chapel cherished by locals and visitors alike for its miraculous associations and historic importance; reviewers note fine interior restorations and artefacts, occasional Masses and the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and recount a famous episode in which the chapel was submerged and its crucifix washed out to sea then later restored and celebrated by the townspeople—making it a meaningful stop near Machico Beach and the site linked to early island landings.

Filipe Freitas
4 years ago
"Main chapel of the city and well-known from entire island: Chapel of miracles. Beautiful story behind it, beautiful artefacts, destroyed soo manytimes and rebuild. Its a must in city of Machico...."
Jorge Morgado
4 months ago
"This is a small chapel of great importance to the people of Machico. It was submerged by the ocean, and its crucifix was washed out to sea. Found atsea a few days later, it was not returned to the chapel until a few years later, after restoration in Lisbon. Its return was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, accompanied by the people of Machico. This episode added to the aura of the chapel, already praised for its miracles...."
2JK BG
5 months ago
"A beautiful, recently renovated church located near Machico Beach. It stands at the symbolic site of the first landing of Portuguese explorers on theisland of Madeira in the 15th century. Steeped in history, this church is a must-see...."

FAQs for Visiting the Capela dos Milagres

The chapel is located close to the bayfront and historic centre of Machico, within easy walking distance of the town’s main streets and promenade.
Modest clothing is recommended-cover shoulders and avoid very short shorts or beachwear, especially if you visit during mass or other services.
Yes, the chapel is an active place of worship; mass times can vary, so check locally or on parish notices if you’d like to attend.
Formal guided tours are not guaranteed, but the chapel may be included in wider town walks or cultural tours offered by local guides.
Photography for personal use is usually tolerated if you’re discreet and avoid flash, but always respect signs, staff instructions, and the presence of worshippers.

Nearby Attractions to the Capela dos Milagres

  • Machico Beach and Promenade - A sheltered bay with a mix of sand and pebbles, ideal for a swim or relaxed walk after visiting the chapel.
  • Matriz de Machico Church - The main parish church with centuries of chapels, tiles, and sacred art, offering a broader view of the town's religious history.
  • Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo - A compact 18th-century coastal fort with cannons and baroque stonework, right in the heart of Machico.
  • Pico do Facho Viewpoint - A high lookout above Machico and the airport, with sweeping views over the east coast of Madeira.
  • Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8 trail) - A dramatic coastal hike at Madeira's eastern tip, easily reached from Machico for a contrasting outdoor adventure.

The Capela dos Milagres appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Machico (Madeira)!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Opening times follow parish schedules and may vary; the chapel is usually open around service times and parts of the day, so check locally if you plan a specific visit.

Price:

Entry is generally free, though small donations for upkeep and restoration are welcome.

Address: Capela dos Milagres R. do Sr. Dos Milagres 6 9200-119 Machico Portugal
Machico (Madeira): 1 km

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs