At Free Walking Tours Funchal, we love finding some of the "hidden" gems of the city, or, at least, showing our guests those special places that might be a little difficult to discover on their own.
One of my favourite places, which I decided to include in our tours after a few trial walks, is the Holy Trinity Church, better known simply as the English Church.
This magnificent church dates back to 1822, the year in which its first religious service was celebrated. It was built in the Neoclassical style, deliberately designed in a way that would avoid offending the local Catholic population. It was also the first building on the island to be built in this architectural style!
The traditional Madeiran pebble pavements and the surrounding gardens are simply beautiful.
The church remains a vibrant part of life for many of Madeira's English-speaking residents, with religious services still regularly celebrated in English. However, one of its biggest attractions for visitors today is its programme of live music.
There are concerts throughout the week, offering everything from jazz and Fado to strings, blues and orchestral performances of rock music. There's something for almost every musical taste!
The gardens surrounding the church provide a peaceful place to sit, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Despite being right in the centre of Funchal, the church grounds remain a surprisingly quiet corner of the city.
It's not uncommon to find people who live nearby sitting in the gardens, enjoying the surroundings or simply walking their dogs.
Even stepping through the gate can be a wonderful experience, especially when the jasmine is in bloom and its intense fragrance fills the entrance.
Join our Funchal Essentials tour and discover this amazing place in Funchal!
Lisa
In the northern part of the garden, you can also find a bust of Philippa of Lancaster.
This beautiful bust was commissioned by Madeira's British community in 1973 to commemorate 600 years of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance — the oldest diplomatic alliance in Europe.
And there's one more reason to explore this little corner of Funchal.
Just two minutes away from the Holy Trinity Church is the Miradouro das Cruzes, a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the city. From there, you can even look down and spot the English Church and its gardens from above.
