In this category you will find posts about Madeira’s cultural heritage. This includes subjects about Madeira’s music, music instruments, folk dance, art scene and history, and several contributions about Madeira’s never ending festival calendar. We also have the official calendar for you.
What are Fachos? The Festa dos Fachos or torch festival in Machico is one of the oldest celebrations on the island. It originates back in the 16th Century when the islanders used torches to warn the population of attacks by pirates. To document this cultural tradition, the municipality of Machico invested in the production of …
Madeira Flower Festival Madeira’s wonderful Carnaval parade is just behind us and the next fabulous event lurks around the corner: The Madeira Flower Festival or Festa do Flor. The Madeira Flower Festival is number 5 in the top 10 best flower festivals in the world. This festival takes place every year four weeks after Easter, …
Madeira Carnival The Carnival on Madeira Island is said to be known as one of the best in Europe. Each year, Carnival festivities start forty days before Easter. Hence, It is the year’s first major festival after the Christmas and New Year’s extravaganza. Therefore in 2023, the actual Carnival dates are from February 15th to …
Music videos shot in Madeira As most people know, there are quite a few commercial films shot in Madeira. For more information, please read on here. However, fewer might be aware of how many music videos have been filmed here. The most popular so far to be added on that list is Gims. He came …
Madeira Wine Festival – Madeira’s fortified wine has a unique taste which differentiates it from any other wine on the market. Luckily, once a year, tourists and locals can assist to the Madeira Wine Festival dedicated to Madeira’s famous born-at-sea nectar. The Madeira Wine Festival takes place in Funchal from late August until early September …
Arraiais da Madeira Madeira lives according to the rhythm of its Romeiros and Arraiais during the Summer months. These traditional festivities of Madeira are a jolly mixture of the religious and the profane. There are masses, processions and celebrations around the church. The streets are decorated. Food and drink stands flourish left and right, serving …
Madeira’s Charolas During the weekend of June 11th and 12th 2022, the charola tradition returns to Madeira. You will be able to witness it in Loreto on the South Coast. Charolas in Loreto are part of a old tradition taking place during the Holy Spirit festivities. The first image of a charola on Madeira dates …
Châo da Ribeira Nestled in the vast Laurissilva, Chão da Ribeira lies in a valley overlooking the parish of Seixal. Chao da Ribeira sits between 400 and 500 meters of altitude. On a relatively flat piece of land surrounded by majestic mountains, lays the paradisiac old village with picturesque stone houses “Palheiros” in the perfect …
The Madeira Photography Museum – Atelier Vicente’s Founded by Vicente Gomes da Silva in the 1850ies, this photographic studio, situated in Funchal, survives complete with equipment, sets, cameras, costumes and pictures. After a five-year closure and a 1.7-million-euro renovation, the oldest photo studio of Portugal just opened its doors to visitors again at the end …
… and there was light! Christmas is going to be unusual for all this year. For some more than for others perhaps, but a different festive season is a given in these times of extremes. Much Christmas fun may be off this year. We can, however, still enjoy the dazzling winter light displays on Madeira. …
Lapinhas Lapinhas or Nativity Scenes are part of Madeira’s Christmas traditions. If you are fond of extensive Christmas celebrations, Madeira, definitely, is the place to be. Celebrations last for an entire month and are the highlight of the year for the locals and tourists alike. You can read about the happenings taking place in December …
