The Funchal City Council has initiated conservation and restoration works on the monument dedicated to the combatants of the Great War, located on Avenida do Mar. The intervention aims to ensure the dignity of the memory of those who died in the First World War.
The monument, a work by Madeiran sculptor Francisco Franco and architect Moreira Rato, dating from 1952, has suffered from theft and degradation over the years. The bronze urn has disappeared, as have the bronze wreath and letters fixed to the side tombstones. The League of Combatants, responsible for the monument's upkeep, lacks the funds for the necessary repairs and cleaning.
Funchal Notícias had already warned in 2015 about the state of degradation of monuments in Funchal, including this memorial. The City Council's initiative is seen as an important step towards preserving the city's cultural heritage.
