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Madeira History
Madeira is formed by two main Islands, Madeira and Porto Santo. The main island,
Madeira, is 56 Kms. long and 19 Kms. wide but it would take a day to drive
around the island due to its volcanic peaks that soar up to 1.862 metres, then
in places dropping sharply into the ocean and down another 1.000 metres to the
seabed. This island in the Atlantic Ocean has a land area of about 797 square
kilometres, and about 600 Kms. away from the coast of Morocco. The Islands were
known about by earlier sailors than the original settlement of people which took
place in the early 15th Century led by the Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves
Zarco. Sugar cane was grown and by 1514 there were already some 5.000 permanent
inhabitants. It became a fought over prize for both the French and the Spanish.
The French sacked Funchal in 1566 and it was not until 1662 when the Portuguese
regained permanent control. In 1801 An English fleet arrived and temporary took
Funchal by ousting the Spanish and French defending forces. This action was
repeated by the English in 1807 and again returned it to Portuguese control.
There is a romantic story which records that the ship carrying the famous pirate
William Kidd and his immense treasure, sank in a location close to the Deserted
Islands.
By 1890s the island had attracted tourists and many English residents and has
since continued as a very popular location due to the temperate climate of never
being too hot nor too cold. Today, the total resident population slightly
exceeds 100,000.
The town and port of Funchal is the main town of the Ilha de Madeira. The port
is architecturally pleasing with the added attraction of its decorative paved
streets. Visitors to the island are usually smitten by the impressive rugged
beauty of its peaks in comparison to the lush semi-tropical vegetation around
its coastline. The 15th Century Convento de Santa Clara is well worth a visit
and to also learn the tragic story of the nun, Maria Clementina. The 17th
Century church Igreja do Colégio dominates the main square. There are several
museums worth visiting, from sacred art to local handcrafts. The quality of the
Madeira Lace is world known and it continues to be produced with over 20.000
cottage industry workers scattered over the island. Another equally famous
product is the Madeira wine. A visit to the Adegas de São Franciso to learn how
it is made and stored as the oldest bottles still existing dates from 1772!
The hidden valleys and peaks of the Island all deserve a visit together as do
the several botanical gardens, some of which are part of old private residencies
opened to the public. A trip around the island has to to take in the village of
Santana on the north coast where the visitor will still see the traditional
triangular shaped homes of the islanders. For the healthy at heart is a trip to
Pico do Areeiro and climb to the highest point on the island at 1.862 metres.
For fun there is the special and unusual dry toboggan ride on the Monte in the
main town. Most visitors find too much to do on the island, and too little time!
A very special time to visit Funchal is over the New Year’s Eve which is world
famous for the quality of its celebration.
About two hours by boat will take you to the island of Porto Santo that has what
the main island lacks – a sandy beach of 9 Kms. in length. Here, there is museum
to Christopher Columbus who is said to have lived on the island after marrying
the daughter of the first governor. Porto Santo has become very popular as a
holiday destination in the last five years and Hotels and Resorts have stolen
the peaceful beauty of the Island.
The Ilhas Desertas(Deserted Islands) can also be reached by taking a boat trip.
The Island are now a nature reserve due to the killing off of wildlife by the
local fishermen. The Islands is curiously the only home of the black wolf spider
that is deadly to humans.
Most world travellers find the Madeira Islands so attractive and interesting
that they tend to return more than once.
Madeira Locations of Interest
Botanical Gardens
Carrinho do Monte
Cathedral - Sé do Funchal
Caves of São Vicente - (São Vicente)
Centre of Living Science - (Porto Moniz)
Chapel - Capela de Penha de França
Chapel - Capela de Santa Catarina
Chapel - Capela de São Nicolau - (Câmara de Lobos)
Church - Igreja do Colégio (also Town Hall)
Convento de Santa Clara
Curral das Freiras - (Ribeira dos Socorridos)
Customs House
Forte de Santiago
Garden of Orchids
Garden - Jardim de Quinta da Boa Vista
Garden - Jardim de Quinta das Cruzes
Garden - Jardim de Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro
Garden - Jardim da Santa Catarina
Garden - Jardim de São Francisco
Home - Casa de Cristóvão Colombo - (Porto Santo)
Home - Quinta Magnólia
Home - Quinta Vigia
Island of Porto Santo
Nature Reserve of Madeira - (Porto Moniz)
Nature Reserve of Miradouro do Garajau - (Caniço)
Nature Reserve of Ponta de São Lourenço - (Caniçal)
Nature Reserve of Sítio da Rocha do Navio - (Santana)
Palácio de São Lourenço
Paul da Serra
Pico do Areeiro - (Highest Point on Island)
The Deserted Islands
Madeira Map
Madeira Map (Madeira & Porto Santo)
Madeira Golf
Palheiro ·
Santo da Serra · Porto Santo Course
Madeira Weather
     
Madeira Information
 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Madeira Beaches
There are so many lovely interesting sandy beaches in the Madeira that you will
find amongst them a good selection on which to enjoy your holiday. Everyone has
their favourites and these are often hidden away from the more popular ones!
When you see the sign “Praia” this means in Portuguese “beach”.
List of Main Beaches
Praia do Areeiro
Praia da Barreirinha
Praia da Calheta
Praia das Cavacas
Praia do Clube Naval do Funchal
Praia da Fontinha
Praia da Formosa
Praia do Funchal
Praia Galo Mar
Praia do Governador
Praia da Lage
Praia Lido
Praia da Madelena do Mar
Praia da Marina do Funchal
Praia Nova
Praia das Palmeiras
Praia de Ponta do Sol
Praia de Porto Moniz
Praia de Porto Santo
Praia da Prainha
Praia da Ribeira Brava
Praia da Ribeira do Faial
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Portugal Golf
