Using
the links below you will be able to see a quick
synopsis of the festivities across the year by City
to Village, and their respective parish counties.
A municipal area is usually designated as a "Concelho"
in Madeira. The "Concelhos" are
divided into smaller "suburbs"
called "frequesias". Oftentimes,
old travel guides refer to these smaller areas in
a municipality as "parish counties"
- as the area that celebrated its festivities and
events usually followed the calendar established
by the church or parish council in the vicinity.
Hence the old division of Madeira, and Portugal
for that matter, into "frequesias".
Today, however, the division of a city, town or
village into "frequesias" follows
governmental/bureacratic boundaries. But the traditional
celebrations of the parish community still remain
strong and tradition is kept in compliance with
generations of memory by the folk of Madeira.
As
the madeira-island.com
site develops we hope to build and piece each of
the festivals, bit by bit, into a tapestry of folkloric
wealth for lovers of the island to recourse to for
planning holidays, or revisiting memories.
Porto
Moniz
- The northernmost concelho.
Still one of the most picturesque in Madeira. The
most important economic activities are fishing,
agriculture and dairy produce. One of the safest
harbours on the north coast can be found here.
Câmara
de Lobos - Câmara
de Lobos was the first place in Madeira to be inhabited
by the recent discoverers of the island in 1492
onwards. Since old times the the village has been
dedicated to fishing. The famous black "Espada"
fish is mostly caught here., This town is divided
into four freguesias, of which the most important
is Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, known
as «the orchard of the island» for the abundance
and excellence of its fruit. The most famous Madeiran
wines are produced here.
Machico
- 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.
Calheta
- The
village town of Calheta was first inhabited in 1502
and soon flourished to economic success due to the
excellent agricultural possibilities in what was
probably the most fertile land on the island. Sugarcane,
cereal agriculture, wine and vegetables were soon
the basis for the development of one of the "Noble"
villages of Madeira.
São
Vicente - Situated
by the sea, on the north of the island, São
Vicente was founded in the mid-fifteenth century
and saw rapid development largely due to its successful
sugar plantation. Agriculture and cattle rearing
are still the main economic activities, as well
as industries involving dairy products, wood, distillation
and ceramics.
Ribeira
Brava - Established
in the mid fifteenth century, Ribeira Brava is one
of the oldest towns in Madeira. It is situated on
the southeast coast near the mouth of the river
with the same name. Agriculture is the main occupation.
Industry and tourism are rapidly developing.
Santana
- This
is one of the most pituresque and caracteristic
places, principaly for his variety of colmo
houses (made from straw) and for its enormous amount
of local flowers.
Santa
Cruz - This
district integrates the international airport and
a most important wicker handicraft centre in Camacha.
Its rich folk music has contributed to the development
of tourism and the promotion of Madeira.
Ponta
do Sol - Situated
on the south of the island colonization started
here in 1440. The economic growth generated by the
sugar manufacture led king Manuel I to make it a
town by royal charter dating as far as 2 December
1501.
