Fortress of São Felipe
From Mighty Stronghold to Mega Warehouse
Area
Funchal
Type
Church or Cemetery
Entrance Fees
It is Free because there is not that much to see :-D
Good To Know
Nestled in the heart of Funchal between two “not-so-hip” riverbanks, the Fortaleza de São Filipe do Pelourinho was built to bolster the port’s defenses. Planned as early as 1574 and finally completed in 1581 (because even fortresses can suffer from bureaucratic delays), it stood as a stalwart companion to the Fortaleza de São Lourenço.
Once home to Spanish soldiers, thunderous artillery, and vigilant patrols, the fortress later switched gears. By the late 19th century, its military mojo faded, and it was sold off by the Ministry of War—transforming into a colossal warehouse. Yes, you read that right: a former bastion of defense turned into a haven for boxes and crates!
Today, if you’re on the hunt for remnants of this storied fortress in Funchal, good luck—most of its structure has vanished, leaving behind nothing but its intriguing, laughter-inducing history.
Opening Hours
Not available
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes it's not so easy to find the exact location of the Sight. That's why we've included the GPS coordinates.
32.64769820199686
-16.90508262051567
Highlights
Free Whale Watching Tour!
