The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture, through the Regional Directorate for Culture, has opened Public Tender n.º 26/2026/SRTAC/DRC for the acquisition of conservation and restoration services for azulejo heritage. The procedure covers some of the most relevant azulejo ensembles in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
With a base price of €1,415,000.00, the procedure includes interventions on the azulejo panels of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Site of Public Interest), the Church of São Pedro (Site of Public Interest), the Church of São João Evangelista, commonly known as the Colégio Church (National Monument), the Sé Cathedral of Funchal (National Monument), the Church of Santa Luzia (Site of Public Interest), and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Mother Church of Machico (Site of Public Interest).
The tender documentation is available on the public procurement electronic platform ACINGOV, with proposals to be submitted by 11:59 PM on November 2, 2026.
The intervention aims to restore the material, structural, and aesthetic integrity of these important testimonies of regional cultural heritage. The planned works include stabilization, consolidation, cleaning, surface treatment, glaze fixing, correction of detachments, review of mortars and joints, filling of gaps, chromatic reintegration, and specialized restoration of damaged pieces, including the reproduction of missing azulejos.
In parallel, the project includes the enhancement of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, involving the recovery of roofs, walls, openings, lighting systems, and painting, which is crucial for safeguarding the building and its notable azulejo heritage.
A low-energy scenic lighting system will also be implemented in the azulejo-clad towers of the city of Funchal, enhancing the recovered heritage and its presence in the urban landscape. The facades of the affected buildings will also be painted.
As part of the dissemination and promotion of the intervened heritage, various communication and cultural valorization actions will be developed, including the production of specialized content, photography and video services, graphic design, translation, and the publication of a bilingual guide and informative materials dedicated to the covered properties. The project also includes a cultural initiative to mark the completion of the works.
This project is co-financed by Madeira 2030 and aligns with the strategy of preservation, valorization, and promotion of regional cultural heritage, contributing to the safeguarding of cultural assets of high historical, artistic, and identity value, as well as reinforcing their cultural, educational, and tourist attractiveness.
