Category: Civil Architecture > Marina
District: Madeira > Porto Santo > Vila Baleira
Porto Santo island is one of the jewels of the Madeira Archipelago, known for its tranquil environment and unique landscapes. It occupies the entirety of the main island and its adjacent islets, forming a single municipality. The main urban cluster and its capital is Vila Baleira, the heart of local life. This locality is organized around its main square, Largo do Pelourinho, with Jardins do Infante inviting leisurely strolls through streets adorned with palm trees and bougainvillea.
Porto Santo stands out for its topography. While the southwest part of the island is characterized by an extensive coastal plain and the famous beach, the northeast part features more rugged terrain, marked by rocky elevations and cliffs that contrast with the soft sand.
Affectionately nicknamed the "Golden Island," Porto Santo is renowned for its magnificent golden sand beach, which stretches for approximately nine kilometers. This fine, soft sand, bathed by clear turquoise waters, is one of its main attractions. Mild sea temperatures and a moderate climate, which remains pleasant throughout the year, allow the island's charm to persist in any season.
Porto Santo's sands and waters are recognized for their therapeutic properties, being rich in minerals such as iodine, calcium, and magnesium. This particularity makes its coastline a sought-after location for those who benefit from contact with these natural elements for well-being, particularly for issues related to rheumatism and bone diseases.
Porto Santo's history is intrinsically linked to the era of Portuguese Discoveries. It was in 1418 that navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira accidentally discovered it, diverted by a storm. They found a safe harbor here, which is why the island was named "Porto Santo." Later, in 1446, Bartolomeu Perestrelo was appointed the first captain-donee, playing a crucial role in the island's settlement.
One of the most notable chapters in its history is the stay of Christopher Columbus on the island. The navigator married one of Perestrelo's daughters and is believed to have lived on Porto Santo for some time, a period thought to have been important in preparing for his great voyages. The 15th-century house believed to have been his residence is now a museum, where portraits of Columbus and maps of the routes he traveled can be seen. Throughout the centuries, the island faced challenges such as aridity and attacks by pirates and privateers, which led to the construction of fortifications to protect its population.
Beyond its remarkable sandy expanse, Porto Santo offers a diversity of landscapes shaped by its volcanic origin. The island was classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020, in recognition of its natural richness. The terrain, though predominantly low, features some peaks that rise and offer distinct panoramas. Among them, Pico do Facho, the highest point on the island, and Pico do Castelo stand out, offering wide views over the valleys and surrounding islets. Pico Ana Ferreira, with its basalt prism geological formations, is another example of Porto Santo's natural uniqueness, an invitation to contemplate the force of nature.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 33.06239725, -16.316327276923
Coordinates DMS: 33°03'44.6"N 16°18'58.8"W
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Baleira
