The Crossing-Funchal, Madeira Islands

Funchal is a definite WOW rising dramatically out of the Atlantic to an elevation of over 6000 feet. Natural ampitheaters, deep ravines, seaside cliffs and lush vegetation are Funchal features. It is a botanical marvel. Or maybe I was awestruck by any sight of land after 5 days at sea! Funchal is the capital city of the Madeiras a chain of six islands of which only two are inhabited. The other four are protected UNESCO nature preserves visited by permit only.

Funchal was "discovered" by Capt Zarco in 1421 when he shipwrecked on what is now Porto Santo, the other inhabited island in the Madeiras. He christened it Porto Santo (the Saints Port ) because it saved his bananas. He declared the Madeiras territory of the Portugese King. Today it is an autonomous region of Portugal. (Would there be any Atlantic resort islands today if there had not been shipwrecks?)


Christopho Columob resided in Funchal while exploring the New World. He and the Santa Maria are still using the Funchal harbor as their home port alongside the assorted cruise ships. The Madeira wine has extended his longevity. "Care for some Madeira, my dear a?"




Funchal is now the capital city (since 1508) with a robust economy and 110,000 of the total 180,000 residents in the Madeiras. The economy is based on tourism and agricultural exports for the most part. It has a high level of development all along the southern coast which stretches roughly 25 miles.


The development is sprinkled precariously up the mountains from the coastal harbors and provides some of the most dramatic vistas of the city and the Atlantic one can find anywhere. The hillsides are covered with a mix of modern condominiums, private homes, small hotels and ancient homes dating back centuries. The city is a beautiful mix of historic and modern and features many wonderful botanical gardens about the city center.



The Portugese defended the original walled city with four forts with the waterfront fort shown here:









Only 5 weeks ago there was a catastrophic storm which created massive flooding and mud and rock slides down the mountain sides into downtown Funchal. There were over 500 homes destroyed and more than 50 deaths. The island has done a heroic and herculean clean up in this short time. While we saw plenty of evidence of the flood (the shops in the old town had mud and water marks at the 6 feet level) the streets were all cleared the sidewalks all cleaned the the island roads all restored to service. There is now a new land fill on the waterfront of about 5 acres where all the rocks and silt that came down into the city was deposited. There was great urgency to do so since the cruise season is now underway. In our 36 hours in Funchal we had 5 other cruise ships enter and depart the harbor.

Our time there was short but it is an enchanting island and a favorite for mountain hiking with many trails traversing the mountain sides. It is one Sally and I want to visit again on our own, much more interesting than Bermuda.