Old City Wharf

Category: Civil Architecture > Quay

District: Madeira > Porto Santo > Vila Baleira > Matas

Location

The Old Town Pier is located in the town of Vila Baleira, the main urban center of the island of Porto Santo, in the Madeira archipelago. Its location is central, next to the town's main bathing area, extending over the Atlantic waters.

This spot offers a unique perspective of the maritime surroundings and the island's coastal landscape, characterized by its serenity and natural beauty, with the sea playing a predominant role in the atmosphere of the place.

Historical Features

This old maritime structure played a fundamental role in the history of Porto Santo. Before the construction of more modern port infrastructures, the Old Pier served as the island's main connection point to the outside world.

Essential goods for the subsistence of the population, agricultural products destined for export, and the first visitors or residents who arrived and departed passed through here. Its existence reflects the vital importance of the sea for the development and daily life of the island community over the centuries, being a silent witness to the socioeconomic evolution of Porto Santo.

Environment and Characteristics

The surrounding environment of the Old Town Pier is marked by tranquility and the constant presence of the Atlantic. Its structure, although old, maintains the necessary robustness for the functions it once performed, showcasing a simple but effective architecture, adapted to the demands of the sea.

From this point, visitors can contemplate an unobstructed view of the ocean, with the horizon stretching far into the distance, and appreciate the sea breeze that envelops the location. It is a space that invites reflection and observation of the coastal panorama of Vila Baleira, connecting its visitors with the maritime essence of the island.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cais_Velho_do_Porto_Santo

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt