Forte de São Tiago (Saint James Fort), Funchal

There was a time when Portugal dominated the commercial routes of the North Atlantic, and the safety of Funchal seemed assured. Who would want to attack an isolated island in the mid-ocean? Someone did. In 1566, French corsairs under aristocrate Bertrand de Montluc ravaged the undefended port for several days, looting churches, burning homes, and killing many residents. The danger was real and recurring, yet Funchal was not fortified until 1614, decades after the attack.

Construction of the fortress began under the direction of master builder Jerónimo Jorge, the royal engineer responsible for several military projects in Madeira. The work was continued later by his son, Bartolomeu João, and by the Italian-born engineer Tossi Columbano, who also contributed to the development of the Port of Funchal. By the mid-18th century, the fort’s main defensive structures were considered complete, including the thick walls, battlements, and sea-facing gun platforms.

As pirate and privateer activity diminished, the fort took on new roles. It served as a base for British troops during the Peninsular War in the early 19th century, when Portugal and Britain were allied against Napoleonic France. Later, the military police and the Funchal Lancers were quartered within its walls. In 1803, after catastrophic floods swept through Funchal, the fort provided emergency shelter for hundreds of displaced families. Its role shifted again in 1901, when King Carlos I and Queen Amélie visited Madeira and were formally received here, taking lunch under a tent in the courtyard.

Today, Saint James Fort is open to visitors and remains one of Funchal’s most recognizable historical landmarks. Travelers can walk freely into the courtyard, explore the ramparts overlooking the Atlantic, and view small military displays inside the former barracks. Parts of the interior host rotating cultural exhibitions, and the seaside terrace—now occupied by a restaurant—offers some of the best panoramic views along Madeira’s coast.