It is located in Largo dos Varadouros, in the city of Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal
In the past, the Varadouros Gate was an integral part of the walls that surround the city with a defensive function, and which gave access to the boat landing on the old Calhau beach.
The Gate was one of the five existing doors in the city that gave access to the boat landing at the old Praia do Calhau, currently replaced by Avenida do Mar.
At the back of the gate is Largo dos Varadouros, the city's main commerce center in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The old entrance to the city, the gate was built in 1689 during the time of governor D. Lourenço de Almada as a defensive wall for Funchal.
The original gate was erected in 1689, on the initiative of governor D. Lourenço de Almada in keeping with international Mannerist taste, and where an inscription was placed in Latin that can be translated as “Each of the previous governors in vain strove to complete these walls; to Senhor Lourenço de Almada the satisfaction of their completion was reserved”.
From the century. XIX, especially when the entrance to the city was next to the palace and fortress of S. Lourenço, it progressively lost its interest.
The monument lost its defensive function, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was demolished (May 1911) along with extensive sections of the old walls following the establishment of the Republic and due to the works to adapt the city center to integrate the modern automobile.
As part of the recovery of historical heritage on the initiative of the Funchal City Council, the reconstruction of the gate to the terraces was restored to the same location during the 500th anniversary celebrations in September 2004.
Its reconstruction followed a historical study, respecting the original architectural design, the gate was rebuilt in reinforced concrete with linings in local stonework topped by the original pieces: the crown, the royal arms and the original tombstone that were deposited in the Quinta das Cruzes Museum.
The Gate features two pairs of half-columns on each side of the door with a round arch and the coat of arms of Funchal in the center, a cornice and a wide round pediment surmounted by the royal coat of arms. Under these, there is an inscription that can be translated as: “Each of the predecessor governors of Bucket made an effort to complete these walls; to Mr. Lourenço de Almada the satisfaction of their completion in the year 1689 was reserved”.
Today the monument is located in a small square with buildings around it, residences and commercial stores.
Largo dos Varadouros was the city's commercial center and gateway in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The attack by French pirates led to the fortification and defense of the city becoming the main interests of the central power and the inhabitants of Funchal.
For this reason, walls were built around the city with five entrance doors and the rivers serving as a moat.
At the end of the 16th century, Largo dos Varadouros had an almost vital importance for the city, but as the walls lost their military interest they were destroyed without a single gate remaining, including that of Varadouros.
The door that exists today is a replica that follows a historical study and maintains elements from the time of its construction, such as the crown, the royal weapons and the original tombstone.
The Gate was one of the five existing doors in the city that gave access to the boat landing at the old Praia do Calhau, currently replaced by Avenida do Mar.
At the back of the gate is Largo dos Varadouros, the city's main commerce center in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The old entrance to the city, the gate was built in 1689 during the time of governor D. Lourenço de Almada as a defensive wall for Funchal.
The original gate was erected in 1689, on the initiative of governor D. Lourenço de Almada in keeping with international Mannerist taste, and where an inscription was placed in Latin that can be translated as “Each of the previous governors in vain strove to complete these walls; to Senhor Lourenço de Almada the satisfaction of their completion was reserved”.
From the century. XIX, especially when the entrance to the city was next to the palace and fortress of S. Lourenço, it progressively lost its interest.
The monument lost its defensive function, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was demolished (May 1911) along with extensive sections of the old walls following the establishment of the Republic and due to the works to adapt the city center to integrate the modern automobile.
As part of the recovery of historical heritage on the initiative of the Funchal City Council, the reconstruction of the gate to the terraces was restored to the same location during the 500th anniversary celebrations in September 2004.
Its reconstruction followed a historical study, respecting the original architectural design, the gate was rebuilt in reinforced concrete with linings in local stonework topped by the original pieces: the crown, the royal arms and the original tombstone that were deposited in the Quinta das Cruzes Museum.
The Gate features two pairs of half-columns on each side of the door with a round arch and the coat of arms of Funchal in the center, a cornice and a wide round pediment surmounted by the royal coat of arms. Under these, there is an inscription that can be translated as: “Each of the predecessor governors of Bucket made an effort to complete these walls; to Mr. Lourenço de Almada the satisfaction of their completion in the year 1689 was reserved”.
Today the monument is located in a small square with buildings around it, residences and commercial stores.
Largo dos Varadouros was the city's commercial center and gateway in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The attack by French pirates led to the fortification and defense of the city becoming the main interests of the central power and the inhabitants of Funchal.
For this reason, walls were built around the city with five entrance doors and the rivers serving as a moat.
At the end of the 16th century, Largo dos Varadouros had an almost vital importance for the city, but as the walls lost their military interest they were destroyed without a single gate remaining, including that of Varadouros.
The door that exists today is a replica that follows a historical study and maintains elements from the time of its construction, such as the crown, the royal weapons and the original tombstone.
