The
Archipelago of Madeira Island is about 1000 kilometers
southwest of Lisbon, Portugal, country to which it belongs to since
the 14th century. There are four islands; Madeira, Porto Santo, Las
Desertas and Las Selvagens, but only Madeira and Porto Santo are inhabited,
the other two are volcanic. Hardly known since the XIV century, Porto
Santo was the first to be rediscovered in 1418 and then Madeira was
rediscovered in 1419 with the Portuguese explorations to Africa. Since
1976 it has been an autonomous region with its own government and parlament
in Funchal, the capital of the archipelago. Both islands have airports
but you have to land on Madeira first and take a smaller aircraft to
fly to Porto Santo. It is just a one hour flight from Lisbon but there
are many combinations from European and American countries.
The Island of
Madeira or The Wooded Island
As you have probably guessed, Madeira is the English translation
for wood. It was a wooded, forest area, densely populated with small
tree and bushes similar to laurel. It is also a mountainous and rocky
land with abrupt cliffs and very few beaches and natural ports. Inland
there are deep volcanic valleys which serve as basins and flood areas.
If seen from above, it looks like a beautiful quilt with all the
shades of green imaginable. Before it used to be a good sugar cane
producer , but the fierce competitor of Brasil has made it turn to
a leading banana and wine producer. The wine from madeira is a very
special one, well-known all over the world. And thanks to the irrigation
system their is a long list of tropical fruits to be eaten. Its subtropical
climate makes it a holiday haven all year round with its high season
in winter.
Funchal the
capital of Madeira
Located on the
southern coast of Madeira, it was founded by Joao Goncalves Zarco
in 1495. It is the largest metropolis of the Portuguese insular
and the hugest tourist emporium in the Atlantic Ocean. This influx
of visitors is something quite recent, therefore there is a mixture
of the old colonial town, a must to see, surrounded by modern and
busy toruist resort areas and ordinary buildings. Funchal grew
under the command of its founder who first started to cultivate
sugar cane. This was such a prosperous business that in 1508, Funcal
was given the category of city and sugar canes could be seen depicted
on sheilds of arms and in the decoration on public and religious
buildings and monuments. At that time, piratry was at its highest
in the dangerous oceans and seas of the world, and Funchal was
not overlooked. In autumn of 1566, Funchal was invaded by a French
buccaneer fleet and the looting lasted over a fortnight. The treasure
was so enormous that it is said that some of it had to thrown into
the sea so that the ships could leave harbour. The inhabitants
of Funchal learned quickly from their mistake. They built thier
city in a circular shape, something like a Roman amphitheatre so
that all buildings were facing the sea. There are towers and balconies
on many houses, all giving us the impression that Funchal is
always on the “ look-out “.
The climate in
Funchal is the same as in the rest of the island; mild, warm and
very pleasurable. This is a tourist paradise in winter for those
coming from colder countries and wanting to warm their bodies and
spirit. It is especially cozy at Christmas time with special attention
given to the lighting decorations around the port promenade and
the fireworks on New Year´s Eve. June
and July tend to be the haziest months because the clouds trapped
in the mountains cover the sky. But all in all, its year round
weather is very comforting.
A nice visit
around the city shows us churches dating back to the 17th c. like
the Iglesia do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelist or the Cathedral of
Funchal on the Avenue of Arriaga and la Se. Although it looks simple
from the outside, it hosts many architectural delights with a combination
of materials not usually seen together such as cedar wood and marble.
The Pacos do Concelho from the 18th c. was built by the richest
man on the island. As a typical characteristic we can observe its
tower overlooking the ocean and the black balsaltic stone which
contrasts against the white facades, doorways and thresholds. Some
interesting museums should include: The Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum
of Religious Sacring Art) found in the old Episcopal Palace from
the 16th c. where a very valuable collection of Flemish paintings
is housed. The Museum of Natural History located in the Palace
of Sao Pedro with a marvellous collection of local fauna and a
marine aquarium. The Museu da Quinta das Cruzes is dedicated to
the decorative art from the 16th to th 19th c. showing impressive
Chinese porcelain, furniture and ivory. The surrounding gardens
and the greenhouse filled with orquids also hold interesting sculptures.
Funchal also has its narrow streets lined with restaurants and cafes
all with magnificent views, a variety of decoration and superb food
such as marinated pork with vegetables (carne vinha de alhos) fresh
fish personally chosen by the clients, or the traditional meat of
espetada.
A relaxing walk around the botanical garden called Jardim de Sao
Francisco, showing us an ample catalogue of Madeira flora and that
brought from the India. Strolling along we come upon a Fortress and
Palace construction which prevails over the marina of Funchal. Here,
colourful pavillions and luxury sailing crafts and boats from all
over the world catch our eye. Between the (river) Ribeira de Sao
Gomes, the Sao Tiago Fortress and the ocean, we can enjoy the picturesque
Zona Velha ( Old Area). Here is where Funchal really started to come
alive as a fishing village, where we see the Lavradores Market selling
the typical swordfish or tunafish. Nowadays there are more recent
shops filled with hand-made lace and wood. Towering over the city
in the dense forested area is the church of Our Lady of the Mountain
( Iglesia de Nossa Senhora do Monte), 18th c. Other than its religious
or architectural value, it is quite fun. After taking the funicular
railway up and visiting the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Habsburg,
we must take the most original way I have ever seen to get down.
You have to ride a wicker sled on wooded wheels made for two people
and guided by lads dressed in the traditional costume.
If you have enough time, it would also be fun to make a quick jump
over to the island of Porto Santo, only 50 km. Either by plane in
15 minutes or by boat which takes about an hour and a half. Porto
Santo is very quaint and just a nice relaxing day trip to think about.
Even though Madeira
is a small island and Funchal a small city, there is an excellent
selection of hotels to choose from From large luxury hotels all
facing the tranquil ocean to smaller cozy ones or apartments or
inn type accomodations.many can be found along the Estrada Momumental
or on the Rua Emperatriz D. Amela or within cute winding streets
in the city centre. All of Funchal Madeira Island is like heaven
on earth.
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