In the heart of Funchal you can find a wonderfully unusual art project brightening one of the tiny streets of the old town.
Funchal is Madeira’s capital city and a vibrant place to visit. The old town, or Zona Velha, is close to the water front and dates from the 15th century. It is here that cobbled streets and tiny old buildings lead you past quaint little restaurants and eateries. The large marina area is very picturesque, with fishing boats bobbing on the water and the yellow Fort of São Tiago looking out over the Atlantic.
From the marina, work your way inwards and you’ll come to the Rua de Santa Maria. Roughly 200 of the doorways down this unassuming street are painted with incredible artistic displays. In an attempt to revitalise the area, the local council organised this project with a selection of guest artists coming in to help. The idea behind the ‘Painted Doors Project’ was to decorate the doors of houses, shops, galleries and restaurants down the Rua de Santa Maria, turning the whole pedestrianised area into a permanent, outdoor art gallery. It has a really great feel to it and there are little restaurants down the street too, so you can sit, relax and really soak it all up.
Every doorway is different and they really draw visitors in. The artists and designers were given a space and simply told to ‘do something’ with it. The result is an eclectic display of visual creations that not only bring colour and energy to the street, but also encourage passers-by to slow down and enjoy the culture.
If you’re in the area, they are certainly worth checking out!
