Capela dos Reis Magos

Capela dos Reis Magos (Chapel of the Three Kings) is a 16th-century chapel in Estreito da Calheta, on the western side of Madeira. Its exterior is modest, yet it holds one of the island's most valuable pieces of Flemish art. The chapel is classified as a Monument of Public Interest (Monumento de Interesse Público).

Where is the Chapel of the Reis Magos?

The building stands in the parish of Estreito da Calheta, in the municipality of Calheta on Madeira's southwest coast, at roughly 32.73° N, 17.18° W. It fits naturally into a day exploring the west of the island, close to the seaside town of Calheta and its other sights.

How did the chapel come about?

According to available sources, the chapel was founded in 1529 by Francisco Homem de Gouveia and his wife, Isabel Afonso. It stood beside an extensive property that served as the seat of a morgadio, an entailed family estate. During the first century of settlement on Madeira, such foundations signalled a family's standing, and a private chapel served both devotional and representative purposes.

What does the building look like?

The chapel reflects the popular style typical of the island's first century of settlement. It was remodelled in the 18th century. The result is a clear contrast: a simple, restrained exterior and a richly decorated interior. The interior is what draws most history and art lovers.

What is the Retábulo dos Reis Magos?

The greatest treasure is a 16th-century Flemish altarpiece showing the Adoration of the Magi. It is a triptych combining sculpture and painting. The central part is a carved wooden scene, while the two side panels are oil paintings on wood. The paintings were made in the 1520s in an Antwerp workshop. The altarpiece reflects Madeira's strong ties with Flanders in the era when the island traded in sugar and imported works of art from the Low Countries.

Why visit?

• It is one of the oldest chapels in this part of Madeira, with a foundation dated to 1529.
• You can see a Flemish triptych from Antwerp, a rarity on the island.
• The contrast between plain facade and rich interior is a good example of local sacred architecture.
• It combines easily with a visit to Calheta and its surroundings.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the chapel? Francisco Homem de Gouveia and his wife Isabel Afonso, in 1529.

When was it built? In the 16th century, with a remodelling in the 18th century.

What is the most valuable thing inside? A Flemish triptych of the Adoration of the Magi, painted in the 1520s in Antwerp.

Is the chapel protected? Yes, it is classified as a Monument of Public Interest.

Where is it? In the parish of Estreito da Calheta, municipality of Calheta, in western Madeira.

Before you go, check current opening hours, for example on the Visit Madeira website, as chapels are sometimes open only at limited times. A visit is usually short, so the chapel works well as one stop on a longer trip along the island's western coast, alongside other places around Calheta.