São Gonçalo (Funchal)
Encyclopedia
São Gonçalo is a civil parish in the municipality/suburb of Funchal
in the archipelago of Madeira
. Its population in 2001 was 7,232 residing in an area of approximately 7.06 km², along the southern coast of the island of Madeira (its density was 1,024 per km²). Located on the eastern frontier with Santa Cruz, São Gonçalo is linked by regional roads to Funchal
, Machico
and Porto da Cruz
.
. Gonçalo Aires Ferreira, one of the first settlers in this region, was a member of Zarco's fleet, and acquired land west of the primary settlement (that would become Funchal), encompassing the area between the right margin of Ribeiro Gonçalo Aires and Ribeira de Santa Luzia. The area became known as São Gonçalo for the fact that it was explored by Gonçalo Aires Ferreira, under the direction of Gonçalo Zarco, and not specifically for the Saints with the same name. The ravine physically divided the Gonçalo Aires Ferreira's lands at the mouth of the Ribeiro Lazareto, cutting it from the ecclesiastical parish of Santa Maria Maior
.
Jerónimo Dias Leite later identified the first children born on Madeira, as the children of Gonçalo Aires, who were named Adam
and Eve
: a reflection of the regliosity of these first settlers, who saw the newly discovered lands as a new Paradise. Further, the profound religious inclination of the period was characterised by construction of small chapels alongside the homes of many of the first nobility to settle along the coast.
As the religious orders divided the newly baptized community of Funchal into two ecclesiastical parishes (Sé
and Santa Maria Maior
), the region of São Gonçalo continued as the enclave within the latter. The faithful concentrated their religious devotion at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Calhau, while new nuclei developing throughout the 15th century. Some services occurred in a small chapel within the enclave, which was located in a peak that became known as Pico do Lopo Machado, and whose landowner lived in the zone: Ermitério das Neves.
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 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...
. Its population in 2001 was 7,232 residing in an area of approximately 7.06 km², along the southern coast of the island of Madeira (its density was 1,024 per km²). Located on the eastern frontier with Santa Cruz, São Gonçalo is linked by regional roads to Funchal
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:...
, Machico
Machico
Machico is a city and municipality in the northeastern part of the island of Madeira, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The easternmost municipality on the island, it is also the third most populous area; its population was 21,747...
and Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz is a civil parish in the municipality of Machico in the northeastern corner of Madeira. In 2001 the resident population included 2793 people, dispersed throughout an area of 25.22 km² .-History:The origin of the communities name came from the fact that the original discoverer...
.
History
The settlement of the area of São Gonçalo, much like the first lands cultivated on the island, progressed after the initial colonization by João Gonçalves ZarcoJoão Gonçalves Zarco
João Gonçalves Zarco was a Portuguese explorer who established settlements and recognition of the Madeira Islands, and was appointed first captain of Funchal by Henry the Navigator.-Life:...
. Gonçalo Aires Ferreira, one of the first settlers in this region, was a member of Zarco's fleet, and acquired land west of the primary settlement (that would become Funchal), encompassing the area between the right margin of Ribeiro Gonçalo Aires and Ribeira de Santa Luzia. The area became known as São Gonçalo for the fact that it was explored by Gonçalo Aires Ferreira, under the direction of Gonçalo Zarco, and not specifically for the Saints with the same name. The ravine physically divided the Gonçalo Aires Ferreira's lands at the mouth of the Ribeiro Lazareto, cutting it from the ecclesiastical parish of Santa Maria Maior
Santa Maria Maior (Funchal)
Santa Maria Maior is a civil parish in the eastern part of the municipality and a suburb of Funchal on the island of Madeira...
.
Jerónimo Dias Leite later identified the first children born on Madeira, as the children of Gonçalo Aires, who were named Adam
Adam
Adam is a figure in the Book of Genesis. According to the creation myth of Abrahamic religions, he is the first human. In the Genesis creation narratives, he was created by Yahweh-Elohim , and the first woman, Eve was formed from his rib...
and Eve
Eve
Eve is the first woman created by God in the Book of Genesis.Eve may also refer to:-People:*Eve , a common given name and surname*Eve , American recording artist and actress-Places:...
: a reflection of the regliosity of these first settlers, who saw the newly discovered lands as a new Paradise. Further, the profound religious inclination of the period was characterised by construction of small chapels alongside the homes of many of the first nobility to settle along the coast.
As the religious orders divided the newly baptized community of Funchal into two ecclesiastical parishes (Sé
Sé (Funchal)
Sé is a civil parish in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, the smallest parish and historical centre of Funchal. In 2001 its population included 2148 residents, along the southern coast of Madeira in an area of approximately 3.82 km²...
and Santa Maria Maior
Santa Maria Maior (Funchal)
Santa Maria Maior is a civil parish in the eastern part of the municipality and a suburb of Funchal on the island of Madeira...
), the region of São Gonçalo continued as the enclave within the latter. The faithful concentrated their religious devotion at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Calhau, while new nuclei developing throughout the 15th century. Some services occurred in a small chapel within the enclave, which was located in a peak that became known as Pico do Lopo Machado, and whose landowner lived in the zone: Ermitério das Neves.