In Quinta Grande, sacred architectural history, agricultural development, and routes with different paths come together. Cabo Girão, with its viewpoint and skywalk, is another highlight. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different points of interest: the chapels tell the story of the area’s architectural history, while the coastal route, highland path, and footpath each offer different points of reference.
Cabo Girão: Views and Named Activities
The Cabo Girão viewpoint is part of Quinta Grande and is considered the parish’s main tourist attraction. Cabo Girão is 580 meters high. The well-known suspended glass platform, the skywalk, is located at the viewpoint. The height of Cabo Girão and the platform at the viewpoint are therefore two distinct features.
The name is also associated with sporting activities: the Cabo Girão cliff is used for paragliding and BASE jumping. Cabo Girão surf spot, in turn, is the first surf spot in Portugal to have been formally protected by a legislative decree. The viewpoint, cliff, and surf spot thus represent different topics that you can consider separately when planning your trip.
Coastal Route, Levada, and Footpaths
The Caminho Real 23 circles Madeira along the coast and passes through the parishes of Quinta Grande and Câmara de Lobos. The Levada do Norte crosses the highlands of Quinta Grande, Câmara de Lobos, and Estreito de Câmara de Lobos from west to east. The Vereda da Levada do Norte footpath was created along its route. The names therefore refer to different routes: a coastal path around the island and a levada through the highlands of several parishes.
The Vereda da Partilha offers another clearly quantified point of reference: it is about 850 meters long and serves as a footpath to an extensive agricultural area in Vera Cruz. The renovation and paving of the path also included the creation of a viewpoint overlooking Fajã dos Padres and the slope of Campanário. When comparing routes, the path’s length and destination are the main points to consider here, while the descriptions of the Caminho Real 23 and the Levada do Norte focus primarily on their respective routes.
Chapels and Architectural History
The Capela Vera Cruz de Quinta Grande is one of the oldest chapels in the Diocese of Funchal. It was built in the mid-16th century on the instructions of João Gonçalves Zarco. Its construction date and patron provide a specific historical context for the chapel. If you are exploring the parish’s sacred architectural history, you can compare these details with the features of other church buildings.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios has a portal, two windows, a medium-sized churchyard, and a bell tower with clocks. The historical roots of the Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima go back to the 20th century: it was built in 1931. Its construction is said to have been prompted by the rockslide at Cabo Girão on March 4, 1930.
Agriculture, Fajã dos Padres, and the Festive Calendar
After the Levada do Norte was built, agriculture in Quinta Grande shifted toward gardening and fruit growing during the 20th century. Today, the parish is known for this production. This adds a look at the area’s agricultural development to its architectural history.
Fajã dos Padres belonged to the Society of Jesus for more than 150 years. Its cable car makes a four-minute trip down the steep coastal slope to the fajã, with views of Madeira’s south coast. The Nossa Senhora dos Remédios festival takes place every year on the second Sunday in September. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival, check the specific event date before making your plans.
Choose a Focus for Your Trip
Discover more destinations: Camacha, Faial, Ponta Do Pargo, Arco Da Calheta, Estreito Da Calheta, Tabua, Gaula, Ribeiro Frio
Go to the main travel overview: Madeira.
