Around Madeira Island there are several rocks disconnected from mainland, some of which helped to name the villages next to them. For example, the one of the islets of Ribeira da Janela (Window River, in English), Alto Islet, has a hole on it, like a window and that is the reason why the village is called Ribeira da Janela.

On the contrary, some are named with relation to the borough they belong, as the Islet of São Jorge or the Islet of Campanário.

All these islets have volcanic origin and so their colour is very dark.


Ilheu Alto e Ilheu da Rama - Ribeira da Janela

Photo by Catarina Fagundes


Ilheu Mole - Porto Moniz

Photo by Catarina Fagundes