São Vicente, Madeira Island

São Vicente

“One league beyond Ponta Delgada lies S. Vicente, with its substantial lands of laurels, and its domestic animals; many walnut-yielding trees, chestnut, and other types; many grapevines, and much water, and two watermills”.

Gaspar Frutuoso, 16th Century

The council of São Vicente is situated on the North coast of Madeira island. This is one of the island’s most extensive councils, measuring approximately 78, 70 km2. It was first created in 1744, and was restructured several times over the years to reach its present area in 1898. This council area is composed of the parishes of São Vicente (headquarters of the council), Ponta Delgada and Boaventura.

Must-see places:
In São Vicente, among the favourite attractions are the caves and the Volcanism Centre. These caves were opened to the public on 1 October 1996. A visit to the caves will be a unique experience due to the underground lava channels, more then 400 thousand years old. Its course of approximately 700 meters includes three galleries, and visitors may enjoy wonderful views on a journey into the interior of the Earth, where volcanic stalactites lava flows and accumulations of lava are visible, and a curious stone named locally as “bloco errante” (meaning “the wandering stone”), transported by the lava but as a result of its size, became trapped inside one of the pipes.
A visit to the Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia House Museum is recommended. This house, in the popular Madeiran style of architecture dating from the 17th - 18th centuries, is where Horácio Bento de Gouveia was born. He was a Madeiran teacher, journalist and writer of many published literary works. There are a variety of antiques on display as well as objects connected to the writer throughout his professional life.
The “Forno da Cal” (or Lime Furnace) Museum is a truly interesting display for its cultural value, which shows an old island activity that at present is almost extinct. “Rota da Cal” or the Lime Route, at Sítio dos Lameiros, is a journey that reconstructs the old traditional activity of limestone extraction and its transformation, which took place up until the mid 70s.

Patrimony:
On your visit to São Vicente town centre, it is worth your while to set aside some time to pay a visit to the chapel of São Vicente and its mother church. The chapel of São Vicente is located at the mouth of the stream which runs through the council area, and was excavated out of and built on the predominantly basalt rock in 1694. As regards the mother church of São Vicente, it was built in the early 17th century and it contains various art treasures such as the painting of Saint Vicente blessing the town, on the roof of the church, and its magnificently carved high altar.
The visitor will also be able to experience contact with nature and observe the areas where mineral resources were extracted in the past, as is the case with the limestone mines and lime furnace. This route, known as “Rota da Cal” or the Lime Route, situated at Barrinho, Sítio dos Lameiros, is an area which comprises as well as the mines and the lime furnace, an important item of architectural, biological, historical and cultural heritage. In October 2005 it was declared the first rural museum of Madeira to be classified by the Regional Government as “area of public interest”.
It is comprised of an area of 12.000m2 of terraced land locally known as “poios”, dams, mines, irrigation channels and traditional buildings which are the original animal shelters built in stone, called “palheiros”. This area is situated between a part of the Laurissilva forest and the Lime furnace, a unique structure of its kind on the island of Madeira. Thanks to its conservation, besides perpetuating the memory of the tradition of this industry in practice up to the early 20th century, visitors are offered the opportunity to witness the reality of the activity.

Gastronomy:
Among the various typical regional dishes, there are the following specialties in São Vicente: a dish known as “Caldo da Romaria”, a broth made of veal knuckle (or osso buco), onions, carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, fat, potatoes, water and salt. Other dishes are Corn Soup; Mackerel served with a traditional sauce made of garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, vinegar and white wine; and “Inhame” or yams, a sort of tubercle that is a typical food in Madeira.

Handicrafts:
The council of São Vicente presents the visitor with an opportunity to see the manufacture of a variety of handicrafts. Madeira embroidery is the occupation which still today occupies much of the locals’ free time on a daily basis, as well as wicker work - especially basket weaving - near the lands of the Parish of Boaventura. Of northern influence, there is the “brinquinho”, made out of the wood of the “vinhático” tree. This is a traditional type of percussion instrument played in Madeira’s folk music.

Feasts and Events:
One of the most popular feasts and events in the council of São Vicente is the Feast of Ponta Delgada which is held annually on the first Sunday of September and the Pilgrimage of Our Lady of the Rosary, in the council centre, celebrated on the first Sunday of October.

Congratulations!

Now you can use this code "xmas12" after choosing “BOOK NOW”. You only have to insert this “Promotion Code” and automatically it will give you a discount on the accommodation you have chosen.

Christmas Campaign

The Christmas campaign is valid for bookings online and for check in’s between 17th November and 31st December 2009! The Christmas campaign is Non-cumulative to other campaigns and special promotions.

Council Areas

Casa da Capelinha

Hotel Casa da Capelinha is situated in a rural environment on the northern coast of Madeira Island, about 50 minutes drive from the airport. It benefits from its proximity to the sea and from the magi (...)

Rooms: 12
Beds: 40
Location: Ponta Delgada
2pax: 45€

Solar da Bica

“Solar da Bica” is the result of a dream which the owners, Joel and Fernanda, born in São Vicente, had of sharing the beauty of the site with others. They wished to receive those keen to enjoy a spe (...)

Rooms: 10
Beds: 20
Location: São Vicente
2pax: 60€ / 75€

Casa da Piedade

The House “Casa da Piedade” gets its name from the lady that last lived in it. It was built in the 18 th century, restored in 1994 with cara to maintain its old look, and, at the same time, have moder (...)

Rooms: 7
Beds: 14
Location: São Vicente
2pax: 57€

Solar de Boaventura

The Solar de Boaventura hotel is situated on the North Coast of Madeira. This old building dated on 1776, looks back on a history of several hendred years during which it has served among other th (...)

Rooms: 30
Beds: 60
Location: Boa Ventura
2pax: 50€ / 60€