Convento de São Bernardino

The first convent founded outside Funchal, in 1479. A flood carried off the original building soon after; by 1480 the church and its outbuildings were rebuilt, this time away from the stream. The Baroque group that survives has an irregular plan: a church and a chapel with single naves, gabled façades, Baroque portals, dormitories and service buildings. It belongs to the Third Order of Saint Francis; soft and hard stonework, plastered regional masonry, oak and rolled pebbles are all visible.