Travel Guide > Machico > Água de Pena

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Água de Pena

Parish of the fountain
 
The civil parish of Água de Pena was established in 1560 and is one of the oldest of the smallest parishes in Madeira Island.
 
Água de Pena is associated to an event called “Água de Pena”, which means water striking on a living rock. There are accounts that state that Fonte do Seixo fountain, a symbolic and representative place in the parish, is the probable place of that natural spring.
 
Fonte do Seixo was the first place in the parish being visited, when the Island was discovered and the settlement started. In the past, the fountain used to be a meeting point amongst the people, since it served as a water supply point.
 
There is also a legend that tells that the place was connected by tunnels all the way to the Cavalém caves in Machico.
The church of Santa Beatriz, located at Sítio da Igreja, was erected in 1745, in the former place of Santa Beatriz chapel.
 
In addition, it is also well worth mentioning the Fontenário (public drinking fountain), which was of great importance to the daily lives of the population, in times when piped water still did not exist. The water was taken home in earthenware containers, on women’s heads, for their household needs.
In terms of the settlement, the first settlers were connected to the family of the 1st Donee Captain of Machico.
 
The most important activities in this civil parish are agriculture, trade, bread-making, civil construction and catering.
 
Água de Pena has about 1,800 inhabitants, who live in a total area of 508 hectares.
The climate is mild, with pleasant temperatures all year round.
 
How to Get There
 
From Funchal, take the freeway in the direction of Machico (Funchal-Aeroporto-Machico). You can also choose to go via the old Estrada Regional 101 (regional road). In any case, you must follow the signposts.