Monte

Green and lush, the parish of Monte is one of the most popular areas with tourists and the one that features the most beautiful gardens of Madeira's capital. A cable car connects this area to the Zona Velha (Old Town), offering an unmissable trip over the city of Funchal. This is also the area where the traditional wicker sledges slide down from.

In Monte, several quality hotels and restaurants can be found. This parish is also the birthplace of the largest festival of Madeira, celebrated on August 15, during which religious rituals coexist peacefully with profane fun. It is popular with hundreds of visiting immigrants.

Apart from the dedication of Maria, is there also a celebration in honor of the holy of Monte. The dedication of the holy hearth from Jesus will be also celetrated between the population. This is a pratice which were foundet at the twentieth century and was strenghened with the presens oft he emperor of austria. This emperor was beatified at 2004. Its vestiges are still at the church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte.

Enjoy and appreciate the simple but beautiful architecture of the local church.

Known for its diversity of points of interest, the parish of Monte features one of the most quintessential manors in Madeira, the Quinta Jardins do Imperador, highly popular for its gardens and because the Emperor Charles I of Austria lived and died there, after his exile in Madeira, in 1921.

To reach Monte, walk up the Rua 31 de Janeiro and then Rua do Til. Once there, make sure you visit the 'Monte Palace Tropical Garden', a magical space of the Berardo Foundation with exotic plants from various countries and flamboyant ornamentation, including a panel of 166 terracotta glazed tiles entitled 'The Adventures of the Portuguese in Japan '.

About 2 km from Monte, in Terreiro da Luta, you can also visit the biggest monument of Madeira, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Paz.