Evolution of the Pelourinho Bridge, now closed with iron bars

The Pelourinho Bridge is located in the heart of Funchal, on the Island of Madeira, and constitutes one of the most interesting historical and archaeological landmarks of the city. Its evolution is intrinsically linked to the urban development of the region, to the military defenses, and to the recurrent mudslides that battered the island over the centuries. The article addresses the trajectory of this infrastructure from its construction to its current state, in which it is closed with iron bars. Largo do Pelourinho is presented as a central space in this historical narrative, witnessing the transformations that the city of Funchal experienced over the centuries.