MACHICO
(Municipality)
32° 43′ N, 16° 46′ W
Machico is a Portuguese municipality on the island of Madeira, Autonomous Region of Madeira, where Tristão Vaz Teixeira and João Gonçalves Zarco landed in 1419, when they discovered the island of Madeira.
Headquartered in the city of Machico, which also gave its name to the homonymous parish to which it belongs, the municipality has an area of 68.31 km² and 19,617 inhabitants (2021), subdivided into 5 parishes: Machico (parish), Caniçal, Porto da Cruz, Santo António da Serra (Machico) and Água de Pena.
The municipality is limited to the southwest by the municipality of Santa Cruz, to the west by Funchal through a small strip north of Santa Cruz, to the northwest by Santana. It is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, south, and east, with levadas and magnificent landscapes.´
History
In this municipality, the discoverers of Madeira, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, disembarked for the first time, between 1418 and 1420.
In terms of historical events that marked the municipality, the institution of the town as the seat of the first Captaincy, in Madeira, in May 1440 stands out. These lands were the residence of the official captain-donatary Tristão Vaz Teixeira.
In 1803, a huge landslide buried several houses, destroying the river walls, the bridge and the Chapel of Milagres. It was also the site of the confrontation that ended the "Madeira Revolt", in April 1931.
In terms of architectural heritage, highlights include the Amparo Fort, which has a triangular plan to allow for the defense of both sides of Machico Bay; the Casa da Capela / Solar da Ermida, with elements from the 17th and 18th centuries; the Main Church of Machico, built in 1425, and the Chapel of Christ, built in the mid-15th century, rebuilt in the 16th century and again in 1883. It was damaged by the flood of November 3, 1956, and was restored in 1957.
Climate and relief
There are differences between the coast and the interior of the municipality: on the coast the climate is hotter and drier, with the terrain being arid and wild; As you walk inland the climate becomes cooler and more humid and vegetation proliferates.
Despite being essentially a coastal area, bathed to the north, east and south by the Atlantic Ocean, its morphology is marked by several hills and mountains, among others those of Castanho (589 m), Pedreiro (792 m) , Pico da Coroa (738 m) and Penha de Águia (590 m).
The coastal slopes are steep, but due to the effects of erosion it has black sand beaches. In Caniçal and Porto da Cruz there are beaches with natural volcanic sand.
Parishes in the municipality of Machico
According to the 2001 census, the municipality's population totals 21,747, distributed across the five parishes as follows:
Água de Pena: 1,759 inhabitants.
Caniçal: 3,893 inhabitants.
Machico: 11,947 inhabitants.
Porto da Cruz: 2,793 inhabitants.
Santo António da Serra: 1,355 inhabitants.
Economy
In the municipality, activities in the tertiary sector predominate, linked to the areas of tourism, commerce, restaurants and hotel services. The secondary and primary sectors are of lesser importance, the latter in the areas of agriculture and fishing.
In agriculture, the cultivation of cereals for grain, legumes and grain, potatoes, intensive horticultural crops, subtropical fruits and vines predominates. Agriculture is an important sector, particularly in the raising of birds, rabbits and goats. A large part (79 ha) of its territory is covered in forest.
Built heritage
Machico Aqueduct (Aqueduto de Machico);
Chapel of Miracles or Chapel of Christ or Chapel of Mercy
(Capela dos Milagres ou Capela de Cristo ou Capela da Misericórdia);
Fort of São João Baptista da Madeira or Fort of Ancoradouro
(Forte de São João Baptista da Madeira ou Forte do Ancoradouro);
Machico Main Church (Igreja Matriz do Machico)
Fort of Our Lady of Amparo (Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo)
Chapel of São Roque (Capela de São Roque)
Solar do Ribeirinho
From cultural heritage to natural and geological landscapes
We have to go through the pages of Machico's History to get to the origins of Madeira's human occupation. This is because it was here that, in July 1419, Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira set ashore when they discovered the island. Therefore, this municipality is especially symbolic for all Madeirans.
However, legend has it that a century before this seminal event, Anne of Arfet, an English lady, and Robert Machim, a legendary knight of the court of King Edward III of England, had found refuge here. In fact, it was after the name Machim that Machico was named.
Currently, this municipality has around 20,000 inhabitants, spread over a total area of 68 km². In this territory, there are five parishes: Água de Pena, Caniçal, Machico, Porto da Cruz, and part of the parish of Santo António da Serra. Most of this area enjoys a wide perspective over the magnificence of the Atlantic.
If you're looking for things to see in Machico, there's no shortage of options. The city's elegant bay invites you to take a pleasant stroll along the crystal-clear sea that bathes the entire municipality. In addition, this municipality, marked by unique cultural traditions, has several viewpoints, historical monuments, beaches and green areas.
Details
With a rich history and an important natural heritage, the municipality of Machico has several unavoidable points of interest, where the close relationship with the Atlantic reigns supreme.
Beaches
You can experience the sea uniquely and diversely in almost every parish in Machico. Each beach has its own unique connection to those who wish to experience the sea.
The typical pebble stone beaches show Machico's traditional side and put any beachgoer's balance to the test. The black sandy beaches take visitors to some of the most emblematic spots, while the yellow sand beach invites you to sit down and relax.
The swimming complexes of the municipality provide accessibility to all; thus, everyone can enjoy the sensation of diving into the salty depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
You can also experience the crystalline waters of Baía de Abra, classified as a SPA (Special Protection Area) within the Natura 2000 network and the pulsating waves in Porto da Cruz, naturally blessed for surfing.
Nature
Machico’s natural heritage lies in an area of around 68km² and is of incalculable ecological value, that combines species of coastal flora, Laurissilva forest, and diverse fauna especially rich in birds. Many of these species are endemic to the Island.
Laurissilva
The Laurissilva forest has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. An integral part of the Natura 2000 network, the Laurissilva forest is one of Madeira's greatest natural attractions. The forest occupies a vast area of the Island, with Machico having the largest area of Laurissilva, about 800 hectares, on the South-East coast.
Characterized by a large evergreen tree that can grow over 20 meters tall with dense and leafy canopies, these large trees belong mostly to the Lauracea family.
Other endemic species to look out for are the Shrubby Sow Thistle (Sonchus fruticosus), Black Parsley (Melanoselinium decipiens), and the Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans).
In addition to being a Natura 2000 site, the Laurissilva forest is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to the many endemic birds that inhabit the forest such as the Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz) and Madeira Firecrest (Regulus maderensis).
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