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Madeira Religious Festivals

Madeira’s all year round Regional Festivities “Arraiais”

While visiting Madeira, make sure you check out our complete list of the Religious Festivities known as “Arraiais” and celebrate with us the many traditional festivals happening all around the Island.

Blend in with the friendly locals, join the party; try out the famous Madeiran “Espetada” meat on a stick and the Madeiran traditional bread “bolo do caco” and local wine.

Holding the most impressive festivities, many of the churches still keep its tradition, street processions, flower carpets, churches and street decorations with lights, colourful flags followed by a celebration of traditional folklore, food and drink specialties.

There are two most important religious festivals in Madeira, Lady of Monte (Senhora do Monte) and the Good Lord Jesus (Senhor Bom Jesus) in Ponta Delgada bringing thousands of people from all over the world.

Experience the best of Madeira’s culture, view detailed list of more Religious Festivals happening all over the Island.
Madeira Religious Festivals Events.

Machico

The city of Machico annually celebrates this festival on October 9, in the chapel of the Lord of Miracles, one of the oldest Madeira, destroyed by the flood of 1803 and later rebuilt.

The image of the Lord of Miracles was dragged into the sea and found three days later, having been delivered in the Cathedral of Funchal.
Ten years later, in 1813, returned to the chapel the image of the Lord of Miracles.

For two days, hundreds of pilgrims from across the island move to Machico to pay tribute to the Lord of Miracles, performing an evening procession lit only by candles, in an environment of religiosity.

Monte and Monte Palace Tropical Gardens

Monte, the most popular tourist attraction outside the capital with stunning views over Funchal’s bay, it’s known for its 18th-century church ‘Igreja do Monte’ and where the tomb of the Emperor of Austria is set.

Here you may visit the surrounding gardens of Monte, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and museum, the Botanical Gardens and the famous wicker basket ride down to Funchal invented in 1850 as a form of transportation.

Another form of transportation are the two unique cable car rides that connect you to the Botanical Gardens or to Funchal; quick, easy and very popular with locals and tourists alike.

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is a small village on the northern coast of Madeira Island, located in the district of São Vicente with beautiful scenery of the mountains and sea.

Overlooking the cliff you may admire a charming village, the local church by the sea and its new pool complex.  Here you may also find a house museum belonging to the famous teacher, writer and journalist Horácio Bento de Gouveia with a display of his published works and antiques.

This rural village is also able to produce many of the freshest agricultural products and also traditional handicrafts, embroidery and wickerwork.

Ponta Delgada is proud of its mother church; the Imaculado Coração de Maria built in the 15th century, famous for its big Religious festival of Senhor Bom Jesus which takes place in the first weekend of September, bringing thousands of visitors and pilgrims from all parts of the island.

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