The town of Machico is the most historic place in Madeira, and one of the most notable in all of Portugal. It was here where Zarco and Tristão Vaz landed, making the island Portuguese territory. It is one of the most notable places in all of Portugal because it was in the Archipelago of Porto Santo and Madeira that the discoveries dreamed of, studied and realised by Prince Henry the Navigator began.

Some say that the Prince already knew of the existence of the Archipelago and there are those who believe that the Discoverer of Porto Santo was going to Guinea and that a storm led him to land at Porto Santo. That would be the origin of the name – Porto Santo, which in English means Holy Port – because it was the port that delivered the sailors from perishing at sea.

Upon returning to their homeland, they informed the Prince of the existence of this other land and a year later, in 1419, they landed at Machico, east of the beach, a place that became known as the Landing Site.

Credits: Solar de São Cristovão.

Perestrellos Photo - Machico Village and Bay

Source: Elucidário de Machico, Carlos Cristóvão, 1981

Foto Perestrellos - Baía e Vila de Machico
Fonte: Elucidário de Machico, Carlos Cristóvão, 1981