MONTE
32° 40' 33" N 16° 54' 09" W
Monte, called Nossa Senhora do Monte, is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Funchal, with an area of 18.65 km² and 5794 inhabitants (2021 census). Its population density is 310.7 inhabitants/km².
The central area of the Monte is located in and around Largo da Fonte (~540 meters high). In this area are the famous church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, the starting point of the traditional basket carts, the magnificent gardens of Monte and the old railway station that served Monte on the route that linked downtown Funchal to Terreiro da Luta.
History
The parish of Nossa Senhora do Monte was created in 1565.
Throughout the second half of the 19th century, it became, like Sintra due to the Germanic influence of Fernando II of Portugal, a romantic refuge for the wealthy families of Funchal, who preferred a cooler climate in summer. The numerous “leisure farms” - houses surrounded by gardens and park, and a stunning view over the bay of Funchal - that distinguish the parish date back to that time. Some can be visited today.
This is the case of the Emperor's Fifth Gardens, the last residence of Charles I of Austria, who chose to live in Mount the exile he was forced into by the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The farm was called Quinta Cossart, the name of the previous owner, and was ceded to the imperial family in exile by the Rocha Machado family who had acquired it in the meantime.
The Emperor is buried in the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church. The heart, following tradition, is deposited on the lands of the empire.
From 1850 onwards, a new way of quickly transporting wealthy people from Monte to Funchal emerged: the Monte Basket Carts, wicker canapés, upholstered in chintz, on wooden skates covered in greasy leather, sliding by the force of gravity. and controlled by ropes, at the rear, by two drivers on foot, the “carreiros”. 3 km of adventure. Climbing continued to take time and carts were pulled by oxen.
Until the end of the 19th century, when the Estrada de Ferro do Monte came into operation, later extended to Terreiro da Luta (around 850 meters above sea level). It was deactivated during the Second World War but, even today, the Train Path owes its name to it.
Today, the connection is, also, provided by cable car.
Monte has always been one of the main tourist attractions on the Island, of which there are many. Winston Churchill always preferred Câmara de Lobos for his watercolors.
Involvement
In addition to the famous gardens, basket carts and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, several typical farms stand out on the slopes of Monte with beautiful gardens with exotic flora, some of which are open to the public. Around Largo das Babosas are the cable car terminals that connect Monte to downtown Funchal and the Botanical Gardens. Monte is also the starting point for some levadas, such as the one that connects Monte to Camacha, passing through Curral dos Romeiros. In the central area of Monte there are also hotels, taverns, restaurants and a school. At the south of the slope, are the Hospital dos Marmeleiros, and an adjacent health center.
Climate
As it is a parish with large variations in altitude, it presents several micro climates depending on the location. For example, in the central area of the parish, around Largo da Fonte (~600m high), there is a temperate oceanic climate, with temperatures generally 3 to 5 degrees lower than in Funchal, and around 2500 mm of rainfall annually. , one of the highest levels of precipitation on the entire island. During the summer, Monte is affected by the so-called Funchal helmet effect, a phenomenon in which during the morning clouds begin to accumulate on Monte and on the other slopes of the Funchal amphitheater, gradually advancing towards the sea, until it dissipates with the arrival of the sun. night. In this summer, average daily temperatures are around 19 °C, although the real sensation is sometimes lower due to the cloudiness and breeze that are more frequently seen in these high areas. During winter, cloud cover is often found at this elevation, resulting in foggy days. Average daily temperatures at this time of year fall to around 14 °C and precipitation is very high, with often torrential rain, sometimes in the form of hail and winds with gusts exceeding 120 km/h. Low temperatures were recorded in this location.
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