Funchal (from funcho, i.e. fennel), capital of the archipelago, a seat of a university, a hotel college and the see of a Roman Catholic bishop, is picturesquely situated amid rich subtopical vegetation on the south coast of Madeira. It has a population of about 120,000 and as the only port of any size on the island, though often exposed to heavy
surf, it is an important port of call for cruise ships. The town's steep streets, like most streets in the hilly parts of the island, are paved with smooth round basalt cobbles which make stout footwear very desirable. The carros de cesta, which now serve more as a tourist attraction than a means of transport, are toboggans with a basketwork frame that depend for their motive power on the force of gravity and are controlled by ropes held by two men running alongside. The ox drawn carros de bois, the other sleds that used to transport goods and people around Funchal, have become museum pieces.
There is plenty to do of an evening in the island capital, with theaters, cinemas and nightclubs, and folk dancing displays almost every night in one or other of the large hotels. A traditional firework display greets the New Year. The most popular souvenirs are wickerwork and embroidery.
Townscape
Funchal is ranged amphitheater like on hillslopes climbing up to 1,200m/3,936ft, with some of its outskirts as high as 550m/1,804ft above sea level, making it a spectacular sight, particularly seen from the sea. Hotels have come increasingly to dominate the townscape; almost all Madeira's 12,000 hotel beds are in Funchal, and not all of these establishments share the venerable appearance of Reid's Hotel which dates from 1891. However, around nearly every hotel, and private villa as well, there are superb parks and gardens Funchal has trees and flowers wherever you look.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
