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Funchal, Madeira Travel Article
- Portugal Travel Guide
Simple Sophistication Called
Funchal by Lyndon Barry
Not many places on earth get
the opportunity to be discovered twice, but the islands of Madeira and
Porto Santo have. These two islands together with Las Desertas and Las
Selvagens islands make up what is called the Archipelago of Madeira. They
are found 1000 kilometres southwest of Lisbon, Portugal and half that distance
from the African continent. Since their discovery around 1419 and founded
in 1425 by Joao Goncalves Zarco, little was known about these islands but
in the last decade have quickly become the major tourist attractions in
the Atlantic Ocean. Joao Goncalves, with a special permission from the
Portuguese government, used prisoners from the prisons and enticed settlers
from the poorest regions like El Algarve to colonize Madeira. The airport
on Madeira in the town of Santa Cruz on the east side is just an hour flight
from Lisbon and also serves the other island of Porto Santo with smaller
planes. This archipelago is really something special to enjoy. |
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Funchal was
named the capital of Madeira in 1425 and is located on the south side.
Under the rule of Joao Goncalves, Funchal prospered into being a very important
sugar cane producer and by the year 1508, it changed its position from
town to city and sugar canes were carved onto the coats of arms as its
main symbol. Being as ocean travel was becoming more popular, especially
among the greedy and pirates, Funchal was attacked and robbed. This fact
made this enticing stopover react and built its city in a semi-circular
way so that all the building would be looking and watching the sea. Even
today there are houses and buildings that face the waterfront ' just to
keep on eye on things'. Animated Funchal All year Round Whatever season
you decide on, you will be guaranteed a warm, mild climate with temperatures
between 17 to 26 degrees. One would think that the busiest season for tourism
would late spring to early fall, but Christmas is actually one of the hottest
and most lively times on these paradisiacal islands. With visitors from
the colder countries and very much into the Christmas spirit, Madeira dresses
its port streets with the best lighting decorations and the most colourful
fireworks on New Year's Eve. July and August are usually very muggy and
with the highest humidity and temperatures, but quite welcomed after a
long cold winter.
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The city of Funchal is chock
full of history and architecture as you visit churches going back to the
17th century as is the Church of Colegio Sao Joao Evangelist or the Se
which is cathedral in Portuguese. Being as Madeira means wood in Portuguese,
the inside of the cathedral is done up in marble and cedar wood. One of
the most impressive buildings is called Pacos do Concelho ( 18th c. ) with
black volcanic stone counteracting with the white front facing and doorways.
There are museums dedicated to religious art, the Museum of Natural History
housed in the Palace of Sao Pedro where you can get a closer look at the
marine life of these islands and a museum which holds many pieces left
behind by all the different cultures that frequented the islands like Chinese
porcelain and figures carved from the ivory tusks from the captured whales.
Around this museum there are also interesting pieces of art accompanied
by the aroma of fresh orchids. |
Bon Appetit in Funchal
But man does not live on
beauty alone and therefore must feed its physical spirit too. Tuna fish
and codfish are main dishes done in so many different ways: baked, fried,
stewed with home-grown green beans and potatoes. Tropical fruits are abundant
such as maracuyas, mangos and bananas to mention a few. And of course,
the famous Madeira wine. And in order to sleep well, there are luxurious
hotels or simple rural homes on the hillsides so that everyone can feel
as though they are at home, amongst a paradise of lush green vegetation
in the city of Funchal on Madeira, Portugal.
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