On the west part of Funchal city, with an area of about 36 thousand square meters, it is situated the Santa Catarina Park. Beyond a remarkable pleasure area, this park has a rich collection of tropical and subtropical plants. Bunya Pines, Kawris of the East Indies, Palm Trees, Floss Silk Trees, Flame Trees, Indian Rubber Trees, Camphor Trees, Coral Trees, Magnolias and Jacarandas are just some of the exotic species that one may admire here.

Spread through the green field of Santa Catarina’s Park, there are some statues like the Sowing Man, exhibited for the first time in Paris, in 1924, the Christopher Columbus and the Infante (Portuguese word that means a younger prince of royal blood) D. Henrique, the man who sent the ones who were going to be the discoverers of Madeira.

Another monument at this park is the Santa Catarina Chapel which construction was ordered by the wife of João Gonçalves Zarco, the lord of the province of Funchal, in the first fourth part of the 15th century.

Photos by Catarina Fagundes

Stucked between land and sea, with a 590 meters high rock, Penha d’Águia, as west border, Porto da Cruz is an agricultural parish where houses are extended in a line on the top of the hills.

Known for its “American” table wine, as it is called by locals due to the type of grapes from which is made, Porto da Cruz was once also known for the production of sugarcane sugar. In fact, one of the main attractions of this small town is its sugar cane factory that is operating since 1927.

From its pier, that while some years was the only access to the parish, one can admire the panoramic view of Madeira’s North coast that runs of to east until Ponta de São Lourenço. It is also curious to see the sea and wind erosion effects on the rocks near the pier.

On Porto da Cruz dark sand beach one can find a geological species of a plutonic rock that some say it is unique in the world.

Photos by Catarina Fagundes

The smallest parish in Santana, Arco de São Jorge is like a vineyard terrace, situated half-way between the cliff and the sea. Protected by east winds, by the hillsides of São Jorge and on the west by Boa Ventura mountains, Arco de São Jorge has a very temperate climate, one of the main reasons why its soil is so fertile, though it only has 509 habitants.

Photo by Catarina Fagundes

Like an amphitheatre that comes from the high mountains down to the sea, the landscape of Funchal bay is a mix of green with white coloured houses spread through the hillside and concentrating on the lower part of the bay, the centre of Funchal city.

Photos by Catarina Fagundes

The village of Machico was settled in the beginnings of the 15th century, on a bay bathed by calm waters, an excellent natural harbour.

It has expanded through the widest valley of Madeira, where houses were built on the sedimentary terrain deposit by the river, contrary to the rest of the island where buildings are made on the top of the hills.

Machico is now the second largest city in Madeira, with a population of almost 22 thousands.

Photos by Catarina Fagundes