Madeira (self-adhesive)

Levadas

The settlers who occupied the island of Madeira were faced with the problem of making the water that is found to the north reach the south side of the island.

Over five centuries, waterways called Levadas were created, which made it possible to farm the land. Today, these Levadas, in addition to carrying water for cultivation, enable people to take long walks through lush and pristine landscapes, stunning waterfalls and be able to observe the wonderful flora and fauna pervading this island.

EUROPA - National Musical Instruments

The percussion instrument "brinquinho" or "bailhinho" has become the brand image of Madeira. From cottage industry, it is used by folk groups to set the rhythm and as an accompaniment to voices and music. The "charola" or "cana de bonecos", an instrument used in the Minho and Douro regions in continental Portugal, may be at its origin.

The "brinquinho" is made up of cloth dolls (usually seven figures male and female), dressed in traditional costumes, carrying castanets and ribbons, arranged at the end of a rod and around two or more uneven circular arcs.

50 Years Of The Madeira Botanical Garden
– Engineer Rui Vieira

This archipelago bathed in blue and decorated in green combines special climatic conditions that are favourable to the flourishing of a wide variety of plants originating from different areas of the globe. This diversity exists in many parks and gardens. The Madeira Botanical Garden - Eng Rui Vieira, founded in 1960, has an area of about eight hectares and is endowed with exotic plants. It also houses some endangered plant species. It consists of gardens where plants are organised by collections which let you discover the stunning world of plants and their characteristics.

Flower Festival

Flowers paint the island in a variety of colours; such is their quantity and diversity that this archipelago has gained the name of "Floating Garden in the Atlantic". As a way to honour these wonders of nature, the Flower Festival is celebrated in the spring, an initiative that is much cherished by residents and tourists alike.

This event lasts for about a week and includes float parades, shop window and flower garden floral contests, construction of floral carpets and the ceremony of the "Wall of Hope" where children parade with a flower and deposit it on the "Wall of hope" in the Town Hall Square in Funchal.

The beauty of the festival resides in the scent and colour of the flowers that spill out all over the city as well as all the costumed groups which invade the streets with their joy.

Madeira - Christmas And New Year Festivities

During the month of December, the Madeira locals intensely engage in the preparations for Christmas and the New Year, turning the island into a full size nativity scene.

The celebrations are brought to the street, starting with the "Childbirth Masses" and running up to Christmas Eve. 23 December is marked by the pilgrimage to the Farmers Market - "Market Night". The excitement culminates on 31 December with Funchal completely illuminated, the cruise ships moored in front to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks, which won the recognition of the book of Guinness World Records in 2006, as the greatest pyrotechnics show. At midnight, the church bells ring and the anchored boats sound their sirens. The lights for the old year are switched off and the lights for the New Year are illuminated.