Madalena do Mar is a beautiful and large terrace between Ponta do Sol and Calheta. It was named like this because it is said that, in the 15th century, a Polish prince – Henrique Alemão has risen a farm and built a chapel in honour of Saint Mary Madeleine on lands donated by João Gonçalves Zarco, one of Madeira discoverers.

Its geographical position, sheltered from the North winds and from the heat of the steep cliffs are the perfect conditions for tropical cultures. This is why Madalena do Mar is considered to be the best area for banana production and so, almost all lands between the sea promenade and the cliffs at North are covered by banana trees.

On the 15th century, on Henrique Alemão farm, the dominant culture was sugar cane and from its refinery many tons of sugar and rum where exported.

On this welcoming place in Funchal the shapes and volumes are in harmony. The fountain topped with a basalt sphere in the centre of the square, the church and old Jesuitical college on the north, the city hall on the east and the Sacred Art museum on south play a mystic game between the different periods of Funchal history.

Camacha is one of the most picturesque villages in Madeira Island and it has spread the name of the region abroad, by its colourful folklore and its delicate wickerwork.

Situated on the mountain it is rich on secular trees and some of the most magnificent Quintas da Madeira still remain with all their splendorous gardens.

In Achada, the centre of this small village where population socialize, it was played football for the first time in Portugal due to the influence of the British.

Photo by: Catarina Fagundes

One of the three parishes of São Vicente, Boaventura has many wonderful landscapes. The population of this green place is concentrated on their red roof houses around the church, built in honour of Santa Quiteria. Boaventura is a nice place to stay if one wants to trek along Madeira levadas and through some old paths that climb the mountain starting on the sea level.

The Porco (Pig) River waters join the ocean on a small rocky beach protected by two islets, the Preto (Black) islet and the Vermelho (Red) islet, so called due to its geological formation, basalt for the first one and volcanic tuff for the second one.

Towards the river spring there are some small populations like Fajã do Penedo, Lombo do Urzal, Achada Grande or Achada da Madeira, which for some centuries lived isolated and subsisted from agriculture.

The most beautiful Madeira levadas have their springs in Boaventura, run through the Laurel Forest and amaze its walkers with unforgettable landscapes, these are Levada Grande, Levada dos Tornos and Levada da Achada.

Photos by: Catarina Fagundes

The Montado dos Aviceiros is a 33ha property located at 4000 feet (1300m) above sea level, on the mountainous interior of Madeira Island. After many years of neglect and overgrazing, followed by severe fires, the land suffered much erosion and loss of vegetation cover. In 1999, this trend was attempted to be reversed and although it is a long way from being completed there are already good signs of soil stability and spontaneous endemic vegetation appearing. This, in turn, have attracted birds, insects and other animals, making it now a sound diverse environment very different from before.

Since 1999 a reforestation effort was started and many thousand of trees were planted. They were mostly native trees but not just, sweet chestnuts and walnuts trees were also planted for its fruits are good cash crops. Those young trees, brought the need to have water during the summer months and 2 big tanks were installed, together with a large lagoon. They are there for fire prevention and also for irrigation.

Vegetables, legumes and a fruit trees (apples and pears) are now fully certified by the Portuguese Organic certification Body, Socert – Portugal, well as the animals that live in the property. Montado dos Aviceiros produce the only organic beef in Madeira.

The situation of the property, in the mountains and isolated, and its varied topography, has created a variety of microclimates that resulted on a good proportion of the Madeira avifauna, being found there. The most conspicuous is the Madeira Buzzard. Much smaller but also common are the Firecrest and the Spectacled Warbler. Many others can be seen. Another interesting feature during the spring and early summer are the colonies of Manx Shearwaters that breed in the valley behind the Montado dos Aviceiros in the Vale da Serra d’ Água.

We keep a list of all the bird sightings and can advise on where to go to see some of the less common species. Montado dos Aviceiros has different kinds of accommodation, from a large dormitory to smaller cottages.

Photos by Duarte Câmara

The objective of this project is to recreate the original ecosystems and create a place where the nature lover and mountain walker can come and stay, finding an environment of quietness and closeness to nature.