| Villages - freguesias:
Água de Pena
Caniçal
Machico
Porto da Cruz
Santo António da Serra |
Description:
Machico, on the south-eastern coast, is Madeira's oldest town. Zarco landed here in 1419. Aquieter alternative to Funchal as a holiday base. Supposedly the spot where humans first set foot on Madeira.
Upon the early discovery of Madeira Island, Machico beach was found to be the most appropriate where portuguese navigators could safely approach and harbour their boats. It was the first area of Madeira to be explored. And is also the source for the Legend of Machim. It has recently been promulgated into City status and is perhaps the second most important concelho of the island.
Canical was once the centre of Madeira's whaling industry. Whaling ceased in 1981, and since then the waters have been declared a marine mammal sanctuary. |
| Festivities:
Semana astronómica/Gastronomic Week -1st week August
Festa do Senhor - last weekend August
Festa de Nossa Senhora da Piedade - 1st weekend September
Dia do Concelho e Festa do Senhor dos Milagres - 8-9 October
Festa do Santíssimo Sacramento - September |
Things to do:
Besides being a very busy fishing harbour, Machico is also an important touristic center. Wonderful landscapes can be enjoyed from the belvedere of "Camões Pequeno" and from the top of "Pico do Facho". A visit to the "São Roque Chapel" is recommended, owing to the valuable paintings of the 16th century, on glazed tiles, showing the life of that saint.
The whaling museum (Museu da Baleia) in the fishing village of Caniçal. |
