PORTUGAL : Madeira - Sightseeing
Its geographical position and mountainous landscape permit a very
pleasing climate. Temperatures are about 22 degrees Celsius in the
summer and circa 16 degrees Celsius during the winter. With its mild
humidity, the weather of the Island is classified as subtropical.
Influenced by the Gulf Stream, sea water temperature is 22 degrees
Celsius during the summer and 16 in the winter. The islands are of
volcanic origin.
An international airport provides an easy connection between the main
island and the continent. On their own, the meandering roads in Madeira
(stage for a highly competitive rally) are a sight to see, as one
wanders amongst trees, belvederes and waterfalls. Approached by ship,
Madeira offers an unforgettable sight: the mountains dropping straight
onto the valleys, the dense vegetation growing on mountain terraces,
split by steep cliffs and dotted with white houses.
“Madeira” is also a synonym for the renowned hearty wine, which has been
spreading its name and the taste of its home island worldwide.
The city of Funchal is Madeira Island’s capitalNumerous examples of
religious architecture: the Cathedral (15th century), with its Manueline
pulpit; the churches of Carmo (17th century); Santa Maria Maior (Baroque
façade, 16th-17th centuries), São Paulo (15th century), São Pedro, with
its beautiful tiles (16th, 18th and 19th centuries), São Roque (18th
century), Colégio, with its tiles and Baroque gilded carvings (17th
century), Monte (18th century); Santa Clara Convent (15th century, and
its 18th century tiles), Recolhimento do Bom Jesus (17th century). One
may also visit the chapels of Santa Catarina (15th-17th-centuries),
Corpo Santo (15th-17th-centuries) and Consolação (16th-19th-centuries).
Special reference to the following civic architecture buildings: Paços
do Concelho (18th-century), Customs’ Building, Palace-Fortress of São
Lourenço (16th-century) and the forts of Pico and São Tiago
(17th-18th-centuries). Most importante museums: Sacred Art (Flemish and
Portuguese 16th-century art, gold objects and collection of statues),
Quinta das Cruzes (furniture and decorative arts), Vicentes Photographia
Museum (19th-century photo studio), and Frederico Freitas
(dwelling-museum). You can also visit gardens (particulary the Botanical
Gardens) and farms (where one can even take a tour on a typical bull
cart). Also available to visit the Madeira wine lodges.
The island of Porto Santo has what the main island lacks – a sandy beach
of 9 Kms. in length. There is a museum about Christopher Columbus who is
said to have lived on the island after marrying the daughter of the
first governor. The Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) is now a nature
reserve The killingof wildlife by the local fishermen made legal
preservation of nature necessary. This island is the only home of the
black wolf spider that is deadly to humans. Most travellers find these
islands so attractive and interesting that they like to return annually.
