On our return we headed for São Tiago, a fortress built 400 years ago to protect the island from corsairs.




Today the fort houses a restaurant.

Just nearby is Rua de Santa Maria that used to be run down with many abandoned buildings. The city started a project to decorate the doors of such buildings, in order to minimise the cascade effect of deterioration in the old town. Nowadays the street is thriving again with many shops and eateries.















Across the road from there you can see a different kind of rejuvenation exercise. Named for the young mayor whose vision was to beautify Funchal, Rua Fernão de Ornelas brought the city into the modern 20th century.







Finally we reached the cathedral, built 500 years ago, that cemented Funchal's city status.



Took the bus home and it was absolutely rammed.

Now sitting by the pool in the hotel with a cider.