Town Hall

About

On the one hand, the primitive administration of the islands’ rural areas functioned as a system of hereditary captaincies which were based on the feudal system of subordination of lands. On the other hand, due to its condition of town, Funchal’s administration was ran exclusively by its own inhabitants through a group of government bodies formed by the Homens Bons, gentlemen who were among the most influential people in Funchal. Circa 1453 King Afonso V granted the local population the rights of a small town. Dom Manuel, Duke of Beja and Viseu and future king of Portugal ordered the construction of some public buildings in Funchal, specifically a Notarial Palace and a City Hall, on some of the lands he owned on the eastern bank of St. Lucy’s River. The construction of this first City Hall, placed behind the cathedral, finished in 1491 and in 1508 Funchal obtained its coat of arms. Later the local authorities moved to a 19th century building located next to the square that lies in front of the cathedral. This building had been distrained by Funchal’s government as a result of the money that its owner owed to the local authorities. The development of the city forced its authorities to look for a larger place to hold its headquarters. Their search eventually ended up leading them to the Carvalhal Esmeraldo Palace, located next to the Jesuits’ College, being that the space was first rented and then acquired in 1883, the authorities remaining there until today. The current City Council Palace underwent several renovations too, especially during the 1940s according to the plans of the architects Carlos Ramos and Raul Lino. The main facade suffered some changes as well as some of the rooms and even the area around the palace.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes