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Machico


Legend and facts
 
Machico stands out due to an historical factor: it was the first place where Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, official discoverers of Madeira Island, first landed in 1419.
 
However, just like in other places full of legends, the origin of Machico also has its own tale.
Sometime before the official discovery, Robert Machim and his beloved Ana d'Arfet found shelter where today lies Machico. According to this legend, the parish of Machico, chief town of the municipality and city, was one of the settings of this tale 
 
The legend tells the story of an Englishman named Machim, who fell in love with an English damsel, of a higher social class: Ana d´Arfet, who lived in Bristol, in England.
 
Since the girl’s parents did not want the wedding between the two lovers, they decided to run away, in a ship that was going to France. However, the winds changed the route of what had been expected to be a short journey, and they went all the way to the Island. If this account is true, then the Island was not called Madeira then, for the simple fact that it had not been discovered yet.
 
According to the legend, the girl, feeling ill went ashore with Robert. However, the ship was dragged by a storm. Ana died. Some say that Machim died, some say that he did not.
 
According to this latter version, Machim was imprisoned by João Zargo, who watched the seas of Algarve. He was then taken to Prince Henry, to whom he gave the coordinates of the Island, which he would later “discover”.
 
Truth or not, the fact is that the name of this municipality seems to derive from a corruption of the name Machim.
 
Officially, the settlement of Madeira Island began in 1420. And it is around that time that the decision was made to divide the Island into two captaincies: Machico and Funchal.
The settlement was made by Portuguese and Africans.
 
Machico became the headquarters of the captaincy of Tristão Vaz Teixeira.
The Mother Church, from the 15th century, is considered the most important monument in the city.
The graciousness of the bay and the deepness of the valley, make Machico a true celebration of beauty and nature.
 
Besides the busy fishing port, the main economic activities of Machico also include a lot of trade and services. In addition, there are numerous high quality hotel and catering units.
 
Today, Machico has about 12 thousand inhabitants in an area of 67.71 km2.
Climate is somewhat variable, but temperatures are very stable all year round.
 
Useful information

Municipal Public Holiday October 9
Area: 67.71 Km2
Bathing Areas: Machico city bay and Prainha, in Caniçal
 
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.

Activities and Events
      Summer Tournament
      Volleyball Tournament – July 24th
      Machico Gastronomic Week – 1st week of August
      Feast of Nosso Senhor dos Milagres – October 8th
      Festa do Senhor (Feast of the Lord) – last weekend in August
      Banda Municipal de Machico (brass band)
      24 hours playing football
 
Peaks and Viewing Points
      Miradouro do Pico do Facho Viewing Point
      Miradouro da Queimada (viewing point)
 
Parks and Gardens
      Machico Municipal Garden – Vila de Machico
 
Natural Pools/ Streams/ Waterfalls
      Ribeira de Machico (stream)
      Machico Beach
      Calhau
 
Architectonic Monuments
      São Roque Chapel
      Amparo Fortress
      Mother Church
      Chapel of Graça
      Chapel of Nosso Senhor dos Milagres
      São João Baptista Fortress
 
Churches
      Machico Mother Church
 
Health Centres
      Centro de Saúde de Machico (Health Centre)
 
Chemists
      Farmácia Banda d’Além (Chemists)
 
Hospitals
      Serviço de Urgências de Machico (Emergency Unit)
 
Fire Stations
      Machico Fire Department
 
Police
      Machico Police Station
 
Supermarkets
      Pingo Doce (supermarket)
      Supermercado Atlântico (supermarket)
 
Shopping Centre
      Perestrellos
      Banda d’Além Mini Shopping Centre
 
      Madeira Wine
 
Gastronomic Specialty
      Bolo de Mel (Honey Cake)
      Sopa de Moganga (pumpkin and meat Soup)
      Bolo do Caco (round flat loaf typical of Madeira)
      Espetada (Beef Brochettes)
      Cider
      Milho Frito com Atum (fried corn with tuna)
 
Civil Defence - Emergency Service
      Serviço Regional de Protecção Civil da Madeira (Madeira Regional Civil Defence Service)
 

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