Madeira Villa of Blessed Karl Burns in Fire
Our Thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected and those who lost their lives in the catastrophic fire that ravaged the island of Madeira and the capitol, Funchal, on August 9, 2016. The Villa Quinta do Monte, where Emperor Karl lived and died, was destroyed in the blaze.
Three elderly people have been killed in fierce wildfires that are ravaging the Portuguese island of Madeira, a local official said Wednesday. Two other people have been seriously hurt by the fires, which have destroyed 37 homes and a boutique hotel as they advanced on the Madeiran capital, Funchal, regional government president Miguel Albuquerque told a press conference. Pope Francis has sent his prayerful thoughts to the people of Madeira, entrusting them to Our Lady of the Mount, enshrined in the same church where Blessed Karl is entombed.
Footage of the fire at Villa Quinta do Monte
To learn more about Villa Quinta do Monte and Emperor Karl's final days, read Death of an Emperor, available in our online store.