Rua dos Ferreiros
Rua dos Ferreiros is one of the largest streets in Funchal.
Throughout the twentieth century, it was one of the most used by those living on the outskirts of the city to reach the centre, both on foot and by car, being its layout in tarmac, paved with basalt and with Portuguese paving depending on where we circulate.
The street, which is distributed to various points in the city, extends from the junction with Rua dos Tanoeiros to Largo Severiano Ferraz, popularly known as Largo da Cruz Vermelha (Red Cross Square), being this route separated by 655 metres.
Throughout the ages, it was known by other names, in the different sections, which today are all part of the same toponymy. Rua da Ribeira das Casas, Rua das Privadas, Rua dos Esteireiros, Rua do Perú, Rua do Estudo, Rua do Pinheiro, and even before that, Rua de Pedro Bettencourt and in other times, Rua do Comércio
The current toponymy with the historical connection is because several workshops with blacksmiths once worked there.
The street has a rich history of traditional and important places for the life of the city, such as the emblematic Bazar do Povo, founded in 1883, which had a “Photography Section” where albums called “Souvenirs of Madeira” were published, in black and white, sepia or colour, which existed until the 1960s.
Nowadays it is a Chinese shop, occupying the whole northern part of Rua do Bettencourt and was one of the main commercial spots of the city during most of the 20th century.
Further up, on your right, you will find Torre Bela Palace, opposite Rua do Bispo, just before you reach Praça do Município, where the beautiful west façade of Funchal City Hall stands.
Keep going up. The Colégio Church appears on your left, facing the square with a fountain topped by the city’s armillary sphere and further up the sidewall of the church, make sure you take a look at the entrance to the Pátio dos Estudantes (Students’ Courtyard) in the Palácio dos Jesuítas. It consists of a bush garden among the Madeiran stonework benches. This is the most important part of the street, as soon after you can see d’Oliveiras, one of the traditional Madeira wine companies, where you can taste and buy some bottles of our famous nectar, accompanied with our honey cake and typical regional bread.
A little further up you will find the Esperança bookshop, one of the largest in the world and another of the historical shops, a must to visit.
On the corner of Rua dos Netos, which intersects with Rua dos Ferreiros, you will find the studio and shop of interior designer Nini Andrade Silva, right in front of the building where for decades the emblematic Ateneu Comercial do Funchal operated, a professional and recreational association founded in 1898, today transformed into the headquarters of government agencies.
It offers a pleasant café with a terrace to those who pass by.
