Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Old sugar mill, Porto da Cruz
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Terreiro da Luta
^
São Jorge
Pious Madeirans believe that
the Virgin appeared to a young
shepherd girl on this spot and
gave her the statue now in
Monte church. The present
memorial was erected after Ger-
man U-boats attacked ships in
Funchal Harbour in 1916; the Vir-
gin's help was sought and the
bombardment stopped.
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@
Queimadas
São Jorge has a Baroque
church from 1761. A 19th-century
lighthouse sits on Ponta de São
Jorge, with views of the coast. A
side road east of the village
leads to a small, sheltered beach
(see p46)
.
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&
Faial
The Fortím do Faial is a toy-
town fort built in the 18th centu-
ry to fend off pirates. South of
the village are views of Penha de
Águia and the newly formed rock
platform
(fajã)
where part of the
cliff fell into the sea.
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*
Penha de Águia
From western Santana, a road
signposted to “Queimadas” gives
way to a track leading to a house
with gardens, ponds and picnic
tables deep in the green-wooded
heart of the UNESCO World Nat-
ural Heritage forest.
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£
Caldeirão Verde
“Eagle Rock” rises 590 m
(180 ft) from the sea, casting its
shadow over neighbouring villag-
es. Young Madeirans regard the
climb from Penha de Águia de
Baixo to the top as a test of
strength and endurance.
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(
São Roque de Faial
From Queimadas, take a
scenic
levada
walk to the “Green
Cauldron , a waterfall cascading
down a rock hollow. Sturdy foot-
wear, torches (flashlights) and
waterproofs essential.
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$
Ponta Delgada
Several valleys meet at São
Roque, so walkers can start at
the church and choose one of
the paths that go west up the
Ribeiro Frio (“Cold River”) or east
up the Tem-te Não Caias (literally,
“Hold on; don't fall”).
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)
Porto da Cruz
At Ponta Delgada's church,
see the miraculous statue, found
floating at sea in the 16th century.
When the church burned down in
1908, it was found charred but
intact in the embers.
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Map F2
%
Boaventura
The Old Town is a maze of
cobbled alleys and old wine
warehouses. A sugar mill stands
by the harbour, where visitors
can buy the aged, locally distilled
spirit
aguardente
.
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Boaventura makes a great
base for exploring the orchards
watered by the Levada de Cima.
Make sure to take a good walk-
ing guide
(see p50)
.
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