In this category you will find contributions regarding Madeira’s discovery, development and general history. But we also deep dive some historical specificities and celebrations. Especially Madeira’s history as it relates to wine and wine varieties, but also sugar and alcohol production, are given special attention. We also have a look at some…let’s say….’unique‘…historic means of transportation on the island.
A German Painter in Madeira: Max Römer Max Wilhelm Römer saw the light on November 22nd, 1878 in Hamburg, Germany. His wife became ill and upon the recommendation of a Danish friend, he decided to move to Madeira due to its mild climate. He packed belongings, wife and children onto the Brazilian steamboat “Curvello” with …
The “Sorcerer of Calheta” and the Bailinho da Madeira If you have once been to Madeira or even to Portugal and partook in popular festivities, you must have heard the “Bailinho da Madeira” music and maybe even the song. Click play here below to listen to the Bailinho da Madeira while reading this post. O …
“V-J Day in Times Square” but is known to most as “The Kiss” Roaming the streets of New York, a photograph set out to catch the atmosphere of V-J day (Victory over Japan – end of World War II in the USA on 14/08/1945). His photography of the kiss captured that fleeting moment of passion, …
Fortaleza do Pico, Funchal The Fort of Saint John the Baptist, also known as Peak Fort or Fortaleza do Pico, stands high above Funchal at approximately 110 meters in altitude. Hence it is easy to spot in the Funchaleze landscape but taxing to reach. Construction The exact starting date for the construction is no known. …
The Monte Toboggan Run or Monte Wicker sledges When I asked my son’s girlfriend whether she wanted to slide down a really steep and almost polished road from Monte to Funchal in a big Monte wicker basket on wooden skis, she thought I was crazy. Monte Wicker Basket rides are, however, one of Madeira’s most …
What is the Solar do Aposento This Solar (Portuguese for manor house) is located at Ponta Delgada. It was just recently opened to the public (spring of 2018) by the municipality of Sao Vicente. Aposento meaning retreat, a visit to this well preserved manor takes us back to the 19th century. At the time Ponta …
The Sugar Museum of Funchal The City of Sugar museum makes for a nice and informative activity in downtown Funchal. The City of Funchal set up the Museum A Cidade do Açúcar (The City of Sugar). It opened to the public for the first time in October of 1996. It underwent a thorough renovation and …
Engenhos do Norte Rum distillery In Porto da Cruz, a small village located in the North Eastern part of Madeira, an ancient rum distillery testifies the importance of sugarcane for Madeira. Ancient steam engines set the working pace in this distillery. The original factory workers still maintain and keep the equipment operational. But in spite …
The Americas Madeira wine was the most favored American wine from the time of the pilgrims until the Civil War. For a wine coming from a Portuguese island, that is remarkable. But there is an explanation. In 1665, the British banned the import into the New World of all European products not transported on …
Between 2018 and 2020 Madeira will be celebrating it’s 600th anniversary (that is counting from it’s discovery). Various events and festivities mark the anniversary. Anno 1418 The discovery of the island of Porto Santo belonging to the Madeira archipelago happened 600 years ago, in 1418. The vessels of navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz …
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 …
