This presentation is a Project Work with Portuguese students. This is what Bulgarian students learned about Funchal.

Teodora – Location 

Funchal is a city in Madeira island. Madeira island is in Porugal. Portugal is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe. Funchal it’s the largest city and capital of Madeira. Madeira is officially is the Autonomous region of Madeira and is one ot the two regions of Portugal. Fuchal is located on the main island’s south coast. Roughly half of the region’s population lives in it’s capital – Fuchal.

Desislava – Size

The city has a population of 105,795 making it the sixth largest city in Portugal. It is also popular as a destination for the New Year’s Eve, and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings. Total area is 76.15 km2. The area code is 291 and postal code 9000. Fuchal to whom the captain gave this name, because it was founded in a beautiful forested valley, full of fennel up to the sea.

Sechil – Population

The city has a population of 105,795 making it the sixth largest city in Portugal.

Because of its high cultural and historical value, Funchal is one of Portugal’s main tourist attractions .The former national church of Portugal is the Roman Catholic Church. About 80% of the population claims to be Catholic,main participation has been declining in recent years.The Protestant churches have about 50,000 members. There are also smaller groups of Muslims, Hindus and Jews.

Victoria – How to get there?

There are two different ways to get from Madeira airport to Funchal; taxi or bus. Taking a Madeira airport taxi is the quickest and most convenient way to get into the city centre of Funchal as it takes just 20 minutes and costs around €30. The cheapest way to get from Madeira airport to Funchal is by taking the public bus. There are many bus options, but the average journey time is 50 minutes and the cost is €3 per passenger.

Nikol – History

This settlement began around 1424, when the island was divided into two captaincies. The zones that would become the urbanized core of Funchal were founded by João Gonçalves Zarco who settled there with members of his family.
In the early 15th century, Álvaro Fernandes became the commander of Funchal.
Funchal became an important transfer point for European commercial interests. Christopher Columbus was one of the early settlers, but later many of the merchant families established commercial interests on the island
In 1493 began the construction of a church and later raised to cathedral in 1514.
In 1508, it was elevated to the status of city by King Manuel I of Portugal.

Violeta – History 

The island, and Funchal specifically, were vulnerable to privateers and pirate attacks. The armada sacked Porto Santo. When the news was relayed to the settlements on the Madeira and the villas of Machico and Santa Cruz, the citizenry armed themselves. In Funchal, the governor, Francisco de Sales Gonçalves Zarco da Câmara, did not take any hostile action. Meanwhile, the armada anchored off the beach of Formosa, disembarked a contingent of 800 men that marched towards the city in three columns, encountering no resistance until the main bridge in São Paulo.

Elisa – Historical Sights

 1. The Monte Palace Madeira Museum is an ideal exhibition space nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden.
There are three floors, two of which are dedicated to sculptures. The third floor is a unique mineral collection gathered from the four corners of the world.
One of the most interesting characteristics of the Monte Palace Madeira is the existence of a large collection of tile panels placed along the walkways, this collection is considered to be one of the most important in the country.

Elisa

2. This street is basically a stone path. When the area was first settled, a small church, Santa Maria of the Pebble (Santa Maria do Calhau), was built.
The street is a mixture of residential houses and commercial establishments. The families that reside here have been on the street for generations. Well known and not so well known artists have painted the doors of private houses. The illustrations are masterful, adding a feeling of liveliness and color to the street.

Antoaneta – Natural sights

The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is hands down the most beautiful in Madeira. It’s even considered by many as one of the best hikes in the world!Along the hike, the trail connects the highest points of the island offering countless viewpoints of the colourful valley and rock. You go from peak to peak which is why it’s also commonly known as the “Pico to Pico” hike.The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is one of the most famous hikes on Madeira Island  with incredible views along the way. If you are an outdoor lover visiting Madeira, you can’t miss hiking from Pico do Arieiro to the highest peak on Madeira Island.

Hristina – Natural sights

Cabo Girão , The Highest cliff in Europe
Madeira is an island full of surprise. You can climb to the top of Cabo Girao and admire a breathtaking landscape from the highest cliff in Europe.
A promontory recently installed makes the experience even more unique because its transparent glass structure will give you the impression of being suspended in a vacuum, at 590 meters high.

Regep – Cultural events

1. São Tiago Menor Festival
The São Tiago Menor Festival dates back to 1521 and 1523 when Madeira’s population were besieged by the black death (plague). In response to this and the ensuing panic among the living community, the city’s leaders met at the Sé Cathedral in Funchal to discuss which saint they would choose to protect the people. In the end, they placed four names in a hat and picked a name at random, and so São Tiago Menor became the patron saint of Funchal. Today the festival is mainly celebrated in the Old Town of Funchal.

Regep – Cultural events

2. Cantar os Reis (Singing of the Kings)
Cantar os Reis is a charming Madeiran festival filled with carols and songs, celebrated on the 12th night after Christmas. Traditionally, troupes roam the streets at night, singing and playing music from door to door. Outdoor concerts are held all over the island.The lively traditional carols are performed by local musical groups.

Ekaterina – Cultural events

3. The Columbus Festival is based on a series of tourist entertainment initiatives that portray the time when this famous merchant resided on the island of Porto Santo.It presents a set of initiatives that seek to recall the epic of the Portuguese Discoveries.
The event ncludes a handicraft market,circus arts, theater, a lot of music and it’s great fun to be there.

Ekaterina – Cultural events

4. FLOWER FESTIVAL

The Flower Festival is a cultural event associated the local traditions, whether through the performances of folk groups, or through the construction of the beautiful floral carpets, an event filled with lots of entertainment activities, such as music concerts and variety shows, to be held from April,27th to May,21st.​​

Aycha – Things to do in Funchal

Things to do in Funchal.

Visit CR7 Museum
CR7 is a museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a living legend here and even Madeira’s airport has recently been named after him.

Visit Funchal Cathedral – Sé
Located in the city center, The Cathedral of Funchal (Sé) is one of the main historic landmarks of Funchal.

Admire the Street Art of Rua da Santa Maria. A public art program called ‘Arte de Portas Abertas’ has managed to transform an old shabby area of Funchal’s Old Town into a colorful outdoor art gallery.

Gabriela – Things to eat in Funchal

1 . Carne Vinha D’Alhos

Carne Vinha D’Alhos is made for Christmas, it is also available all year round. This dish is authentic to the Madeira region, and you can find it in the Funchal farmers market. This dish is prepared with meat and has a strong flavour of vinegar. The meat is marinated in garlic vinegar, 3 days prior to cooking, which creates its distinctive taste. Carne Vinha D’Alhos is prepared in a pot with spices such as bay leaves, garlic, white wine, salt, and pepper.

Gabriela – Things to eat in Funchal

2. Pastel de Nata

These are mini pastries that are flaky, crispy, and filled with light egg custard with a hint of lemon. Every local baker has their own take on this pastry, and they try to infuse it with a little different flavour to make it stand out. No matter where you taste them, these are made with a lot of love and care, and you will likely fall in love with these little delicacies.

Hristina – Famous people

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal in Madeira, Portugal to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Diniz Aveiro. Cristiano has an older brother, Hugo and two older sisters, Elma and Liliana Cátia.
Ronaldo began his senior career with Sporting CP, before signing with Manchester United in 2003, at the age of 18.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he has won 32 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, and the UEFA European Championship.
He is one of the few players to have made over 1,100 professional career appearances, and has scored over 800 official senior career goals for club and country.

I hope you enjoyed it.

 Thank you for your attention!