Camacha, Madeira - Home Of The Wicker Industry

Camacha, Madeira is about 10 kilometres north east of the island's capital, Funchal.

It is located on a plateau some 700 metres above sea level. Its cooling altitude made it popular with some 19th century British merchants who chose to reside here during the summer months.

Today, Camacha village is the centre of the Madeiran wicker industry and is one of the main stops on most east of island tour excursions.

Usually, most tourists spill out of the tour buses, take a wander around the wicker showrooms, perhaps enjoying a spot of light refreshment, and then return to the waiting buses to continue their journey.

However, for those who know what to look for, Camacha has a little more to offer.

Camacha, map of Madeira

Camacha's O Relógio Wicker Showrooms and Café

O Relógio wicker showrooms and café dominates Camacha.

The name of the building translates to "The Clock".

The building is a renovated, refurbished and extended old Clock tower and is now finished in sleek, whitewashed walls with a contemporary edge.

Inside, the café is rather basic and uninspiring. However, when we visited, we did notice that quite a few patrons were locals - which is always a good sign.

The building also houses an up-market restaurant and a four star hotel. For reservations telephone (351) 291 922777.

There is one aspect of this building that is rather interesting. See Camacha Clock Tower and its history.

Camacha Wicker

The main draw of O Relógio is the three floors of wicker items for sale and an ornate wickerwork display.

We spent a good 20 minutes viewing the various goods for sale. All purport to be handmade and the skill and design craft needed to create such items is obvious.

Unusually for a venture clearly aimed at the tourist market, no eager salesperson approached us during our meanderings.

If you do feel incline to make a purchase, remember that you have to transport the goods home - which may be somewhat problematical for the larger items.

Camacha Belvedere Viewpoint

As you leave the O Relógio wicker showrooms, turn left and you will find a few steps leading to a bland concrete platform.

As uninspiring as the platform may at first seem, the views it gives over the typical Madeiran terrain and further on to the south coast are stunning.

Whilst most tourist take photographs of the wicker craft and the plaque in the main square commemorating Portugal's first football game, many miss the magnificent landscape views that surely warrant to be preserved in a similar manner.

Just make sure you do not forget your camera!

Camacha Church

The Camacha parish church dates from the late eighteenth century. The first foundation stone being officially laid on Tuesday, 30th September 1783

Previous to 1783, there was a small chapel serving the village, however its site is believed to have been apart from where the church stands today.

By 1886, the church had become dilapidated and considerable repairs where undertaken to prevent its imminent collapse.

In recent years, the church has undergone a further bout of major repairs and refurbishment and it now complements Camacha village centre admirably.

The First Football Played In Portugal

In 1875, Harry Hinton returned from studying at a public school in Britain with a football packed in his luggage.

Harry was the son of the wine and sugar merchant, William Hinton, whose family owned a quinta in Camacha.

It is said that Harry took his football to the nearby Largo da Achada in Camacha and engage with a number of local youths, instructing them in the rules of game.

Thus, football was introduced to Portugal.

Today, the main square in Camacha has a commemorative plaque marking the date and place where the first game took place.

Directions

By Car from Funchal:-

From Funchal, join the Rápida heading east toward Santa Cruz and the Airport. Leave the motorway at Junction 13, joining ER102 which leads to Camacha.

Public Transport from Funchal:-

The Companhia dos Carros de São Gonçalo company operates the line 129 which goes to Camacha from Funchal. The bus terminates in the centre of Camacha village, so there will be no worrying exactly where to get off.

The journey will take you about 60 minutes.

The buses depart Funchal from the bus stops that line the road alongside the cable car terminal. Walk eastward along Funchal's seafront promenade and you will easily see the green glass cable car building.

The 129 is a frequent service that runs seven days a week. However, on Sunday there are fewer buses.

Madeira Features

Ponta Gorda Lido

On the south coast, beneath the Madeira Regency Cliff Hotel, is the Complexo Balnear da Ponta Gorda Lido.

This is a relatively new facility that is ideal for children and adults alike.

It has a number of different pool areas, including a shallow toddlers pool.

Refreshment facilities are available and the Lido has the advantage of a free WiFi access point.

The Espada Fish

The espada fish, also known as the black scabbard or swordfish, provide Madeira with a delicious meal that you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the world.

Caught in the deep waters off the coast of the archipelago, this fish has been a favourite dish with the local population since the early 1800s.

Today, almost every restaurant offers a variety of meals based on the tender, white, mild flesh of the espada.

Prices range from a humble few euros upward, so there is no excuse not to try this traditional fare.

Just one word of warning: Do not go to the supermarket and view the fish in its raw state before you sample its delights - you may not like what you see.