Travel Guide > Santana > São Roque do Faial
São Roque do Faial
Woodland
The name of the civil parish owes its origin to an existing chapel, in the name of the patron saint of the festivity, São Roque (Saint Roque), which used to be part of Faial ecclesiastic parish. Thus, it became, São Roque do Faial.
As such, the patron saint of the civil parish is São Roque, and the first church was erected in 1551, at Chão da Ribeira. However, 1883, after a rainy season, the church was washed into the sea. Today, in that place, there is a replica, of the church, for reminiscence. The new church was erected higher up, on a brow, away from the threat of the stream.
The settlement took place in 1538, possibly with people from the north of Portugal, or even North Africa and the Canary islands. The civil parish creation charter dates back to July 24, 1848, during the reign of D. Maria II.
Historians believe that in the mountains of the parish, there was the predominance of the native cedar, an odoriferous and incorruptible wood. However, due to an excess trade by Madeira's colonizers in the 15th century, with which numerous works of art were made, as well as the marvellous ceiling work at the Funchal Cathedral (Sé), today, this has become a protected species. There are accounts that state that there are still places in this civil parish that evoke this aromatic fragrance.
The activity of São Roque do Faial is diversified. Some people live off the land. However, for some time now, there has been a lot of engagement in trade, small manufacturing units and in the hotel and catering industry.
According to the 2001 census, São Roque do Faial had close to 1,000 inhabitants, in an area of 15.9 Km2, going from Pico do Areeiro all the way to the Ametade and São Roque do Faial streams.
São Roque do Faial is characterised by having mild temperatures all year round. During the winter temperatures do not drop below 14 º C (57 ºF) and in the summer they average 28 º C (82 ºF).
How to get there
From Funchal, take the freeway in the direction of Aeroporto (airport) and Machico. Follow the signposts to Porto da Cruz, either through the express way, which is quicker, or via the old Estrada Regional 101 (regional road). You pass Porto da Cruz before arriving at São Roque do Faial.
Ribeiro Frio Cottages
These three houses, located on the north side of the island, 17 Km from the center of Funchal, at an altitude of 1000 meters, are in the center of the indigenous forest of Madeira, the Laurissilva, fo (...)
- Rooms: 3
- Beds: 6
- Location: São Roque do Faial
- 2pax: 65€
| Walks |
| Activities and Events |
| Cultural Groups Meeting - May |
| July 24th – Anniversary of the Civil parish |
| Summer Festivals |
| Imaculada Conceição - December 8th |
| Handicraft |
| Woollen Caps |
| Wooden Spoons |
| Peaks and Viewing Points |
| Pico do Areeiro (Mountain Peak) |
| Miradouro dos Balcões (viewing point) |
| Ribeiro Frio (round - viewing point) |
| Miradouro do Chão do Cedro Gordo (viewing point) |
| Miradouro do Lombo dos Palheiros (viewing point) |
| Natural Pools/ Streams/ Waterfalls |
| Ribeira da Metade |
| Ribeira de São Roque do Faial |
| Ribeiro Frio Natural Pools |
| Ribeira de São Roque do Faial Natural Pools |
| Cascata Água d’ alto (waterfall) |
| Architectonic Monuments |
| Public Drinking Fountains built in 1937 |
| Church – Built in 1925 |
| Chapel of São João Baptista |
| Churches |
| S. Roque Church |
| Health Centres |
| Centro de Saúde de São Roque do Faial (Health Centre) |
| Fire Stations |
| Bombeiros Voluntários de Santana (Santana Fire Department) |
| Emergency Numbers |
| Urgências de Santana (Emergency Unit) |
| Police |
| Santana Police Station |
| Supermarkets |
| Achada do Cedro Gordo Grocery Shop |
| Pico do Cedro Gordo Grocery Shop |
| Gastronomic Specialty |
| Sopa Caseira (Homemade Soup) |
| Sopa de Moganga (Pumpkin Soup) |
| Sopa de Agrião (Watercress Soup) |
| Sopa de Couve (Cabbage Soup) |
| Guisado de Cabrito (goat stew) |
| Carne de Vinho em Alhos (pork with wine and garlic) |
| Taxis |
| Santana Taxi Rank |
| Buses |
| Funchal Timetables |
| Civil Defence - Emergency Service |
| Serviço Regional de Protecção Civil da Madeira (Madeira Regional Civil Defence Service) |
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