THE NOSSA SENHORA DA LUZ CHURCH

The main church of Ponta do Sol is a landmark of the town's heritage and a reminder from the golden age of sugar production

The Nossa Senhora da Luz Church is located in the centre of the town of Ponta do Sol. It is one of the oldest buildings in the area and its construction is inextricably linked to the era of sugarcane trade that was associated with nearly the first two centuries of human history in Madeira.

Researchers have yet to reach a consensus on when the construction of the church would have been started. Some date the initial project to the late 15th century. Others prefer the early 16th century. Regardless, there is agreement that construction will have begun with the Nossa Senhora da Luz Chapel, whence the head of the parish was established.

The church was founded by Rodrigo Anes, 'the lame', one of first settlers in the area who become a wealthy man and ended up being buried in the side chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit, as stated in his tombstone.

The church is Manueline in origin, longitudinally planned and comprises a single navel, a rectangular main chapel and a bell tower facing south. In the 17th century, the sidewalls of the main chapel were coated in tiles, and it is then in the 18th century that the oil paintings of the Santíssimo Chapel as well as the extension and reconstruction works. It is at this point in time that the Mannerist portal is added to the main façade.

In 1940, the building was listed as a cultural heritage site and the inventory of the very interesting baptismal font was done. Dating back to the 16th century, this piece carved out of green ceramics came from Seville and falls under the mudejar style. In the opinion of some experts, it is a unique piece in Portugal. It can be found in the baptistery, which can be accessed through an arch made of dark stone from Madeira.

Highlights inside the church further include the beautiful ceiling of the main chapel, in mudejar style, and the golden and blue altarpiece that can be found there, with five oil paintings lined with the canopy, and the pointed arches of the Chapels of Nossa Senhora do Patrocínio, over archivolts of red painted red stone, and of Santíssimo, over two colonettes between which one finds plant motifs.