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Funchal protects its heritage

photo: Madeira Antiga

After having today decided to classify as “council heritage” a number of bridges in the city (Ponte Nova and Ponte D. Manuel, over ribeira de Santa Luzia, and the Ponte de São Paulo, over ribeira de São João, the Funchal council is preparing to protect six other structures.

Funchal inhabiltants and visitors will thus be able to see the council’s protection being extended, in the name of public interest, to the bridges of Ribeiro Seco and Praia Formosa, the recently uncovered fortress of São Filipe, on the Funchal seafront, as well as sections of the river embankments both in ribeira de Santa Luzia (from Quinta Deão to the D. Manuel bridge) and ribeira João Gomes (between Campo da Barca and the city market), these segments having been constructd in the 19th century by brigadeiro Oudinot.

It’s a giant’s step in the preservation of the built heritage of the capital, where – here and there – one can find signs of its five hundred years’ history, but which will no longer count with ponte da Saude, over ribeira Santa Luzia, demolished in August as part of the works in progress.

The city of Funchal is crossed by three rivers, and over the centuries bridges have been built to ease the flow of people through the city. To the older ones, built in stone, newer ones have been added, taking some of its importance, but certainly none of the architectural beauty. With their “beds” of multi-coloured bougainvillea, the bridges and the rivers they crossed have been photographed by thousands of people. A big step was taken to preserve this heritage. Others will follow suit…

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