Monte (Funchal)
Encyclopedia
Monte is a civil parish in the municipality and a suburb of Funchal
in the Portuguese
archipelago of Madeira
. Locally, the parish is also known as Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Mountain). Its population in 2001 was just over 7,444 inhabitants living in an area of approximately 18.59 km² (a density just under 400 inhabitants per km²). Monte is located a few kilometres east of Funchal and is near the road linking Funchal and Faial
. Monte is between 600 and 800 m above sea level.
The oldest religious building, the main church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte was constructed in 1741.
Monte was the final resting place for Emperor Charles I of Austria, last of the Habsburg rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
, who died in exile on 1 April 1922. His last residence on the island was the Quinta do Monte close to the parochial church. Similarly, the Madeirense poet, Herberto Hélder lived in a home in the parish.
In 1850, the residents created an innovative method of moving rapidly between Monte and Funchal. These carros de cesto (literally, basket cars), baskets with seats on wooden skis which were slid the inclined streets of Monte, guided by two pilots from behind, began operating in the late 19th century to descend the three kilometres to Funchal. Between 1893 and 1943, the Monte was connected to Funchal by Madeira's only cog railway, which used to carry people between Funchal and Monte, but also to Terreiro da Luta (at 867 m above sea level), but was deactivated during the Second World War
The parish of Monte literally extends along the mountainous foothills in the northeast corner of the municipality of Funchal, limited by the valley of Ribeira de João Gomes and west by the river-valley of Fundoa. The altimetry increases considerably from 300 to 1300 metres along its border, and the parish is marked by various cliffs, overlooks, ravines and water courses. Its picturesque vantage point has resulted, over the years, in the construction of many homes and buildings in conditions that are percarious or dangerous. This construction has degraded the natural forested areas and facilitated the movement of water that has resulted in natural catastrophies, such as the 2010 mudslides, which caused the death and injury of many in the parish. Similarly, in the summer, the hot dry climate has made the forests in the parish susceptible to forest fires.
Presently, Monte can be accessed by gondola lift
, which was first opened nearly 100 years after the opening of the cog railway. The departing station is located at Parque Almirante Reis in downtown Funchal. The length of the cable car line is 3718 metres (12,198.2 ft), the height difference is 560 metres (1,837.3 ft) and the journey time (one way) 15 minutes. The line has over 39 cabs with 8 seats each carrying 800 passengers per hour. Also, the basket cars or tobogan run, remains one of the most popular features of Monte for the visitors. This enables visitors to be transported 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) downhill to Livramento through the streets at fairly high speeds in large wicker
baskets, conducted by two drivers wearing the traditional white uniform with straw boater's hats.
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
in the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
archipelago of Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
. Locally, the parish is also known as Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Mountain). Its population in 2001 was just over 7,444 inhabitants living in an area of approximately 18.59 km² (a density just under 400 inhabitants per km²). Monte is located a few kilometres east of Funchal and is near the road linking Funchal and Faial
Faial (Santana)
Faial is a civil parish in the Madeiran municipality of Santana located along the northern coast of the island of Madeira. In 2001 its population numbered less than 2000 inhabitants, in an area of 22.6 km² , representing the second largest parish in the municipality, but third least...
. Monte is between 600 and 800 m above sea level.
History
The parish of Nossa Senhora do Monte was created in 1565, turning itself into a summer refuge for many wealthy families of Funchal. Looking to discover a mild climate in the summers, these novo riche constructed summer cottages along the hills of the district.The oldest religious building, the main church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte was constructed in 1741.
Monte was the final resting place for Emperor Charles I of Austria, last of the Habsburg rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, who died in exile on 1 April 1922. His last residence on the island was the Quinta do Monte close to the parochial church. Similarly, the Madeirense poet, Herberto Hélder lived in a home in the parish.
In 1850, the residents created an innovative method of moving rapidly between Monte and Funchal. These carros de cesto (literally, basket cars), baskets with seats on wooden skis which were slid the inclined streets of Monte, guided by two pilots from behind, began operating in the late 19th century to descend the three kilometres to Funchal. Between 1893 and 1943, the Monte was connected to Funchal by Madeira's only cog railway, which used to carry people between Funchal and Monte, but also to Terreiro da Luta (at 867 m above sea level), but was deactivated during the Second World War
Geography
Monte is noted for its older gardens and greenspaces, with exotic plants and flowers, some open to the public. Monte is served by inclined cable car to Funcal and the Botanical Gardens. The parish is also criss-cross by old water channels constructed to transport water between Monte and Camaca, which pass through the Curral dos Romeiros. Central Monte, overlooking the neighboring Santa Luzia and Imaculade Coração, is peppered by various hotels, small restaurantes, and local institutions, including the Hospital dos Marmeleiros and the local health centre.The parish of Monte literally extends along the mountainous foothills in the northeast corner of the municipality of Funchal, limited by the valley of Ribeira de João Gomes and west by the river-valley of Fundoa. The altimetry increases considerably from 300 to 1300 metres along its border, and the parish is marked by various cliffs, overlooks, ravines and water courses. Its picturesque vantage point has resulted, over the years, in the construction of many homes and buildings in conditions that are percarious or dangerous. This construction has degraded the natural forested areas and facilitated the movement of water that has resulted in natural catastrophies, such as the 2010 mudslides, which caused the death and injury of many in the parish. Similarly, in the summer, the hot dry climate has made the forests in the parish susceptible to forest fires.
Tourism
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
, which was first opened nearly 100 years after the opening of the cog railway. The departing station is located at Parque Almirante Reis in downtown Funchal. The length of the cable car line is 3718 metres (12,198.2 ft), the height difference is 560 metres (1,837.3 ft) and the journey time (one way) 15 minutes. The line has over 39 cabs with 8 seats each carrying 800 passengers per hour. Also, the basket cars or tobogan run, remains one of the most popular features of Monte for the visitors. This enables visitors to be transported 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) downhill to Livramento through the streets at fairly high speeds in large wicker
Wicker
Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used....
baskets, conducted by two drivers wearing the traditional white uniform with straw boater's hats.