Machico is the name of the easternmost municipality in Madeira and also of the parish and town it contains. The town of Machico is a short distance to the east of Madeira's airport at the mouth of the conveniently named Ribeira de Machico.
Its greatest significance is that is was the point at which Portuguese sailors first set foot on the island, though the date on which they did so is disputed. Porto Santo was "discovered" first (by accident) and Madeira was apparently not immediately explored at that time, but around a year later. The date which is taken to officially mark the discovery of Madeira is 1st July 1419. There is a romantic legend that an Englishman, Robert Machim, was shipwrecked in Machico while elaborately eloping, but this is thought perhaps to have gained traction as a justification for later English involvement in the island.
Being the first port of arrival, Machico had something of a head start and became the first place on the island to sell sugar processed by its local mill. The relative wealth of Madeira made it a target for pirates (both private and state-sponsored) and the remains of several fortifications remain in and around the town.
On 9th October 1803, devastating floods washed debris through the town (and many others on the island), destroying riverbanks, bridges, property and life. The enormity of the destruction is commemorated on the same day annually as a public holiday in Machico.
These days, Machico is best know for its (imported) sand beach, located on the north-east side of the river mouth and often crowded with visitors - unlike the volcanic beach across the bridge.
In addition to several churches (the Igreja Matriz in the centre of town, the Capela do Senhor dos Milagres near the sandy beach and the Capela de São Roque at the far end of the "natural" beach), there are two forts (the yellow Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo in town and the Forte de São João Baptista on the headland) and the vestigial remains of the sugar-refinery and an aqueduct.
On the last weekend in August, Machico celebrates the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament with a mixture of religious and secular traditions, of which the most spectacular are the
Fachos - images made from flaming torches arranged on massive wire structures to represent sailing ships. A
short video is available from RTP.
Getting there
Machico is the centre of the CAM bus network with buses to and from Funchal (23, 113, 113RS, 156, 208), the airport (irregular service on various routes), Porto da Cruz (208), Santo da Serra (20) and Caniçal and the Ponta de São Lourenço (113).
