Fresh Fruit at the Funchal Farmers Market

Frutta fresca al Mercato degli Agricoltori di Funchal

Fresh fruit at the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) in Funchal.
Funchal, the vibrant capital of the island of Madeira, is famous for its beautiful climate, breathtaking scenery and rich culture. Among the city's many attractions, the Farmers' Market, known locally as Mercado dos Lavradores, is a must-see for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the colours, flavours and aromas of local life. In particular, the fresh fruit section is a true paradise for the senses.
Upon entering the Funchal Farmers' Market, you are immediately struck by the variety and vibrancy of the fruit on display. The stalls are filled with exotic and tropical fruits that are often new to many visitors. Here, you can find a wide range of fresh fruits, some of which are typical of the island of Madeira and difficult to find elsewhere.
Among the local delicacies, Madeira bananas stand out, known for their sweet taste and creamy texture. Custard apples, or cherimoya, with their soft and tasty pulp, are another specialty that cannot be missed. Passion fruit, with its intense and aromatic flavour, is highly appreciated by both locals and tourists.
In addition to the typical Madeiran fruits, the market offers a selection of tropical fruits that attract attention for their particularity. The tamarillo, also known as the tomato tree, is a fruit with a curious appearance and a unique flavour, sweet and slightly acidic. The pitanga, a small, red berry, is highly appreciated for its sweet and aromatic taste.
Among the more exotic fruits you can also find the guava, papaya and pineapple, all very fresh and ready to eat. These fruits not only offer a unique taste experience, but are also rich in vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to health.
Visiting the Funchal Farmers' Market is not only an opportunity to buy fresh fruit, but also a complete sensory experience. The vendors are often very friendly and offer free samples of their products, allowing visitors to discover new flavors and appreciate the quality of the local fruit.
The market is a meeting place and a place of cultural exchange, where you can observe the daily life of the people of Funchal and discover the culinary traditions of the island. Walking among the stalls, you can admire the mastery with which the fruit is displayed, in compositions that seem like real works of art.
In addition to being a great place to do your shopping, the Funchal Farmers' Market is also a great place to find unique and original souvenirs. Visitors can buy packages of dried or candied fruit, homemade jams and other local specialties to take home and share with friends and family.
For those who like to experiment in the kitchen, the market offers the opportunity to buy exotic and tropical fruits to use in creative and healthy recipes. The freshness and quality of the products guarantee excellent results, whether you are preparing a fruit salad, a smoothie or an exotic dessert.
The Funchal Farmers' Market is a must-see for anyone visiting the island of Madeira. The fresh fruit section is particularly fascinating, offering a wide range of exotic and tropical fruits that are a real explosion of colors and flavors. Strolling through the market stalls, tasting the local fruit and immersing yourself in the lively and authentic atmosphere of Funchal is an experience that will remain etched in the memory of every visitor.

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Frutta fresca al Mercato degli Agricoltori di Funchal

Frutta fresca al Mercato degli Agricoltori di Funchal

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Here's where the market is located:

Fresh Fruit at the Funchal Farmers Market – Fruits frais au marché fermier de Funchal – Fruta fresca en el mercado de agricultores de Funchal – Fruta fresca no Mercado dos Agricultores do Funchal – Frisches Obst auf dem Funchal Farmers Market – Trái cây tươi tại chợ nông dân Funchal

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

One of the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria

Una delle porte dipinte di rua de Santa Maria a Funchal nell'isola di Madeira

One of the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal on the island of Madeira.
Almost by chance I discovered this area of ​​the city of Funchal. In fact I had never been beyond the covered market.
A beautiful street, full of typical bars and restaurants (very touristy), which has as a peculiarity the doors of the houses painted with artistic murals.

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Una delle porte dipinte di rua de Santa Maria a Funchal nell'isola di Madeira

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

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Here is where this street is located:

One of the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal on the island of Madeira – L’une des portes peintes de la Rua de Santa Maria à Funchal sur l’île de Madère – Una de las puertas pintadas de la Rua de Santa María en Funchal en la isla de Madeira – Uma das portas pintadas da Rua de Santa Maria no Funchal na ilha da Madeira – Eine der bemalten Türen der Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal auf der Insel Madeira – Một trong những cánh cửa sơn màu của Rua de Santa Maria ở Funchal trên đảo Madeira

The Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal on the island of Madeira

La Rua de Santa Maria a Funchal nell'isola di Madeira

Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal on the island of Madeira.
Rua de Santa Maria dates back to the 15th century, when Funchal was still in its early stages of urban development. Originally, the street was one of the main arteries of the city, connecting the local market, Mercado dos Lavradores, to the church of Santa Maria Maior (Socorro) and the Fort of São Tiago. Over the centuries, the street has undergone many transformations, but has always retained its traditional charm.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Rua de Santa Maria is the “Art of Open Doors” project that began in 2010. This project involved local and international artists in decorating the doors and facades of the buildings along the street. Each door became a canvas, turning into a unique and colorful work of art. This has not only beautified the street, but has also helped revitalize the area, attracting tourists and residents who are curious to admire the artistic creations.
Today, Rua de Santa Maria is a vibrant hub of social and cultural activity. There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafés and art galleries along the street. In the evening, the street comes alive with people enjoying an al fresco dinner or a drink in one of the many welcoming establishments. Among the most popular restaurants are Restaurante Gavião Novo and Tasquinha do Monsieur, where you can taste typical Madeiran cuisine.
Walking along Rua de Santa Maria is an experience not to be missed when visiting Funchal. The combination of history, art and social life makes this street a unique and fascinating place. Whether you are an art lover, a history buff or simply looking for a picturesque place to spend some time, Rua de Santa Maria is sure to captivate you.

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La Rua de Santa Maria a Funchal nell'isola di Madeira

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

To see all the photos I took in the street, click here:

Here is where this street is located:

The Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal on the island of Madeira – La Rua de Santa Maria à Funchal sur l’île de Madère – La Rua de Santa María en Funchal en la isla de Madeira – A Rua de Santa Maria no Funchal, na ilha da Madeira – Die Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal auf der Insel Madeira – Rua de Santa Maria ở Funchal trên đảo Madeira

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.

The Barreirinha Beach Resort in Madeira

Il complesso balneare della Barreirinha a Madeira

The Barreirinha beach complex in Funchal on the island of Madeira.
From the ship, docked in the port of Funchal, I always see this blue (or aquamarine) building and I decided to photograph it and find out more about it.
It is a beach complex, with sunbeds, a restaurant and a bar where you can enjoy a relaxing day.
The elevator column is very characteristic.

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Il complesso balneare della Barreirinha a Madeira

Il complesso balneare della Barreirinha a Madeira

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.

To see all the photos of Funchal click here:
foto gallery

Where is the complex located:

The archipelago is made up of two major islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, three smaller uninhabited islands, known as the Desertas, and two smaller islands, also uninhabited, called the Savage Islands. The largest island is Madeira. The archipelago, together with Cape Verde, the Azores and the Canaries, forms Macaronesia; the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal, the Canaries are part of Spain and Cape Verde, once Portuguese, is now an independent republic.
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The Barreirinha seaside complex in Funchal on the island of Madeira – Le complexe balnéaire de Barreirinha à Funchal sur l’île de Madère – El complejo costero Barreirinha en Funchal, en la isla de Madeira – O complexo balnear da Barreirinha no Funchal, na ilha da Madeira – Der Strandkomplex Barreirinha in Funchal auf der Insel Madeira – Khu phức hợp ven biển Barreirinha ở Funchal trên đảo Madeira

An alley in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira

Un vicolo della città di Funchal sull'isola di Madera

An alley in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira.
Walking through the beautiful Portuguese city of Funchal I often go to the area around the cathedral. In these alleys there are several very nice restaurants.

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Un vicolo della città di Funchal sull'isola di Madera

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

To see all the photos of Funchal click here:
foto gallery

The archipelago is made up of two major islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, three smaller uninhabited islands, known as the Desertas, and two smaller islands, also uninhabited, called the Savage Islands. The largest island is Madeira. The archipelago, together with Cape Verde, the Azores and the Canaries, forms Macaronesia; the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal, the Canaries are part of Spain and Cape Verde, once Portuguese, is now an independent republic.
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An alley in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira – Une ruelle dans la ville de Funchal sur l’île de Madère – Un callejón en la ciudad de Funchal en la isla de Madeira – Un callejón en la ciudad de Funchal en la isla de Madeira – Eine Gasse in der Stadt Funchal auf der Insel Madeira – Một con hẻm ở thành phố Funchal trên đảo Madeira

Glimpses of Fort São Tiago in Funchal

Scorci del Forte São Tiago a Funchal nell'isola di Madera

Glimpses of the São Tiago Fort in Funchal on the island of Madeira.
Some time ago, I took these photos while visiting the famous yellow fort that dominates the bay in which the city of Funchal is located.

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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

To see all the photos of Funchal click here:
foto gallery

Where is the fort located:

The archipelago is made up of two major islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, three smaller uninhabited islands, known as the Desertas, and two smaller islands, also uninhabited, called the Savage Islands. The largest island is Madeira. The archipelago, together with Cape Verde, the Azores and the Canaries, forms Macaronesia; the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal, the Canaries are part of Spain and Cape Verde, once Portuguese, is now an independent republic.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

The Fort of São Tiago in Funchal on the island of Madeira – Le Fort de São Tiago à Funchal sur l’île de Madère – El Fuerte de São Tiago en Funchal en la isla de Madeira – O Forte de São Tiago no Funchal, na ilha da Madeira – O Forte de São Tiago no Funchal, na ilha da Madeira – Pháo đài São Tiago ở Funchal trên đảo Madeira – 马德拉岛丰沙尔的圣蒂亚戈堡 – マデイラ島フンシャルのサンティアゴ要塞

The banana-pineapples, Monstera Delicious, in Funchal

La banana-ananas, Monstera Deliciosa, a Funchal

The Banana-Pineapple, Monstera Deliciosa, in Funchal.
This fruit is one of the exotic delights of Funchal, Madeira. This unique fruit, also known as the “delicious fruit”, is famous for its flavor that resembles a cross between a banana and a pineapple.
The Monstera Deliciosa is characterized by a skin covered with hexagonal scales that fall off as the fruit ripens. Inside, the fruit is juicy and sweet, with a flavor that is reminiscent of both banana and pineapple.
In Funchal, the Monstera Deliciosa fruit is easily found at the Mercato dos Lavradores, where many vendors offer this exotic fruit. It is advisable to make sure the fruit is fully ripe before consuming it, as the skin must be falling off to be safe to eat.
The fruit can be enjoyed fresh, sliced, or used in sweet and savoury recipes. It is a great addition to smoothies, ice cream and even meat dishes to add a touch of exotic sweetness.
Monstera Deliciosa is not only appreciated for its flavor, but also for its beautiful green heart-shaped leaves, which are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and apartments.

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La banana-ananas, Monstera Deliciosa, a Funchal

La banana-ananas, Monstera Deliciosa, a Funchal

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

This plant can grow up to 20 meters in height and has very large leaves, 50 cm to 1 meter wide. Its aerial roots grow at the nodes. The name of the plant is due to the fruit, about 25 cm long and 4 cm in diameter, with a very sweet flavor (similar to pineapple), which resembles an ear of corn with hexagonal scales.
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The banana-pineapples, Monstera Delicious, in Funchal – Les bananes-ananas, Monstera Delicious, à Funchal – El plátano-piña, Monstera Delicious, en Funchal – A banana-ananás, Monstera Delicious, no Funchal – Die Bananen-Ananas, Monstera Delicious, in Funchal – Món chuối-dứa, Monstera Delicious, ở Funchal

The text of the post was written with the help of Copilot, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence.
References:
– https://www.fruitgourmet.it/2021/04/monstera-deliciosa-frutto/
– https://thisismadeiraisland.com/the-most-delicious-fruits-of-madeira/

The facade of the Funchal Cathedral

La facciata della Cattedrale di Funchal

The Facade of Funchal Cathedral.
In the heart of the picturesque city of Funchal on the enchanting island of Madeira, stands the majestic Funchal Cathedral, an architectural gem that has enchanted visitors and worshippers for centuries. Also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, this imposing structure is a symbol of faith, history and timeless beauty.
Funchal Cathedral has centuries of history, dating back to the mid-15th century when the first Portuguese settlers settled in Madeira. Built on a site that once housed a modest church, the cathedral has undergone several renovations and extensions over the years, reflecting the architectural styles that have evolved over the centuries.
When approaching Funchal Cathedral, your eye is immediately drawn to its imposing façade and intricate architectural details. The structure features a mix of styles, with Gothic and Manueline influences blending together in a fascinating blend. The façade, adorned with an ornate portal and intricate reliefs, conveys a sense of grandeur and sacredness.
The interior of the cathedral does not disappoint the expectations raised by the exterior. The naves, with their decorated altars and majestic columns, create an atmosphere of solemnity and devotion. The high altar is a masterpiece of baroque art, enriched by sacred paintings and gilded ornaments that capture the gaze of visitors.
Funchal Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the island of Madeira. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the cathedral is a sacred place of worship, frequented by believers and pilgrims from all over the world. Religious celebrations held inside the cathedral offer a unique experience of spiritual connection and reflection.
Among the gems of Funchal Cathedral is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, a small but sumptuous side chapel. Decorated with sacred works of art and finely crafted ornaments, the chapel exudes an aura of sacredness and contemplation. It is a favorite place for silent prayer and individual reflection.
In addition to being a place of worship, Funchal Cathedral attracts many tourists and history and architecture enthusiasts. Guided tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the cathedral's rich history and admire up close the artistic details that make it a timeless masterpiece.

Funchal Cathedral is not only an architectural landmark but also a pillar of faith and culture in Madeira. With its spiritually-filled history and breathtaking architecture, the cathedral continues to be a must-see destination for anyone visiting this fascinating Portuguese island. Funchal Cathedral is much more than a building; it is a monument that celebrates the beauty, history and spirituality of Madeira.

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La facciata della Cattedrale di Funchal

La facciata della Cattedrale di Funchal

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Click here per vedere tutte le foto di Funchal:
foto gallery

Where is the cathedral located:

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the Catholic cathedral of Funchal, Portugal, and the seat of the Diocese of Funchal. It is located in the center of the city, not far from the marina, in the area called Campo del Duca. Its construction began in the late 1400s. It was the first important church built on the island. Previously, there was a church near the beach of Calhau, but as the number of inhabitants increased thanks to the flourishing sugar cane trade, the church could no longer accommodate all the faithful, so it was decided to build a larger one in the center of the city.
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The facade of the Funchal Cathedral in the island of Madeira – La façade de la cathédrale de Funchal sur l’île de Madère – La fachada de la Catedral de Funchal en la isla de Madeira – A fachada da Catedral do Funchal, na ilha da Madeira – Die Fassade der Kathedrale von Funchal auf der Insel Madeira – Mặt tiền của Nhà thờ Funchal ở đảo Madeira – 马德拉岛丰沙尔大教堂的正面 – マデイラ島のフンシャル大聖堂のファサード

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

The main altar of the church of Sao Joao in Funchal

L'altare maggiore della chiesa di Sao Joao a Funchal

The main altar of the church of Sao Joao in Funchal.
The Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal is a religious building in the city of Funchal, on the island of Madeira.
I visited it, by chance, a few months ago and took a couple of photos of the splendid gilded wooden altar.

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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Click here per vedere tutte le foto di Funchal:
foto gallery

Here is where the church is located:

Funchal is a Portuguese municipality, the capital of the autonomous region of Madeira. Funchal is the largest city on the island; it was founded in 1421 by João Gonçalves Zarco and was elevated to city status by King Manuel I in 1508. Today Funchal is a modern city, located in a unique area, where the geological conformation creates a natural amphitheater that surrounds the entire city, starting from the port and reaching up to 1200 meters of its highest slopes. This natural protection attracted the first inhabitants who formed the initial nucleus of Funchal.
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The main altar of the Sao Joao church in Funchal – Le maître-autel de l’église Sao Joao de Funchal – El altar mayor de la iglesia de Sao Joao en Funchal – O altar-mor da igreja de São João no Funchal – Der Hauptaltar der Sao Joao-Kirche in Funchal – Bàn thờ chính của nhà thờ Sao Joao ở Funchal – 丰沙尔圣若昂教堂的主祭坛 – フンシャルのサン・ジョアン教会の主祭壇

The former Costa Firenze in port in Funchal

La ex Costa Firenze in porto a Funchal

The former Costa Firenze in port in Funchal.
When I was working on the former Costa Firenze last year I took lots of photos of the ship from the various ports I went out to.
For a sailor, especially a Costa Crociere one like me, the yellow funnel is a point of reference when you go out for a walk.
I took these photos from the Fort of St. James (Fortaleza de São Tiago) in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

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La ex Costa Firenze in porto a Funchal

La ex Costa Firenze in porto a Funchal

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

Here is the spot where I took this photo:

The former Costa Firenze in port in Funchal – L’ancien Costa Firenze au port de Funchal – La antigua Costa Firenze en el puerto de Funchal – O antigo Costa Firenze no porto do Funchal – Die ehemalige Costa Firenze im Hafen von Funchal – Costa Firenze trước đây ở cảng ở Funchal – 前科斯塔佛罗伦萨号停泊在丰沙尔港口 – フンシャルの港にある旧コスタ フィレンツェ