Fortaleza do Pico

Also designated as Fortaleza de São João Baptista, its name comes from the proximity to Ribeira de São João and from the fact that it was built at Pico dos Frias, in the early decades of the 17th century, under Spanish rule.

Once part of the city’s defensive wall against the repeated attacks of pirates, today it is used by the Portuguese Navy which has set up a Communications Centre there.

It is a landmark of the city of Funchal and has been classified as a Public Interest Site by the Regional Government, being therefore open to local and foreign visitors.

Funchal