Funchal, Madeira

Description

Funchal was founded by João Gonçalves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city status by King Manuel I of Portugal in 1508. In the early 1400s, Álvaro Fernandes was the commander of Funchal. In the 16th century Funchal was important as a stopping place between the Indies and the New World, and was known as a wealthy place. It was also the port for Madeiran sugar and wine.

Funchal is the Capital City of Madeira as well as the largest city on the island and with its neighbous the villages of Camara Da Lobos, Santa Cruz, Machico and Ribiera Brava with a population of around 150000 inhabitants. Funchal is the most populated Portuguese city, outside of mainland Portugal.

Funchal is located in a unique location on the island; the natural geological features form an "amphitheatre" surrounding the city, which starts at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers. Funchal is a cosmopolitan and very panoramic city with several parks. There are many hotels, including deluxe properties. Funchal has been Madeira's capital for more than five centuries, and is believed that its name is derived form the very large quantity of fennel which grows here.

Funchal is bypassed by a superhighway to west and east with access to Camara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava to the west and Santa Cruz and Machico, to the east. Madeira is extremely popular with many International customers returning year after year. It is also a popular stop over for many cruise ships. Funchal is served by its main airport which is located in Santa Cruz and is only a twenty minute drive to Funchal city. This International airport serves thousands of flights on a yearly basis as well as daily internal flights to island of Porto Santo which is about twenty minutes away by air.

The harbour of Funchal, is the busiest in Madeira, and lies within Funchal city.. Many cruise ships, boats and yachts use Funchal as a port of call. You can also charter your own Catamaran for the day from the port and spend the whole day exploring the island. Alternatively there are various organised boat trips that depart form the port as well as the daily ferry which takes you over to the beautiful secluded island of Porto Santo.

Funchal also hosts the world famous Flower Festival every April, as well as the general flower show there is a children’s flower show, here, the children from all over the island build their own garden of flowers as a symbol of hope. There is a extravagant flower parade through Funchal, which is spectacular and visitors come from all over the world to visit this festival. You need to book early for this and to get the best holiday deal. During the Christmas season Madeira is transformed with Christmas decorations and the whole island is lit up with over 1 million spectacular Xmas lights. Then when the New Year comes Madeira hosts the biggest firework display in the World in Funchal. The record for the largest firework display ever recorded was achieved in Funchal on 31st December 2006 and this has proudly put Madeira in the Guinness Book Of Records. Over 1 million tourists from all over the world visit Madeira to watch this display every year.