Almude
An old liquid measure still used in Madeira for must and cane juice, varying by municipality, around 17–20 litres.
This old measure, although illegal, is still used in Madeira, chiefly for measuring musts and cane juice (garapa). It varies from municipality (concelho) to municipality. According to the tables officially published in 1868, the almude (old liquid measure, about 17.5 litres) of the municipality of Funchal is equivalent to 17,520; in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, to 17,580; in the municipality of Ponta do Sol, to 17,400; in the municipality of Calheta, to 17,352; in the municipality of Santa Cruz, to 17,328; in the municipality of Machico, to 17,568; in the municipality of Porto Santo, to 17,556; in the municipality of Sant'Ana, to 17,604; in the municipality of São Vicente, to 20,538; and in the municipality of Porto Moniz, to 20,272. The average is 18 071, but in the municipality of Funchal the almude is generally considered equivalent to 17 litres.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 01Place
Places mentioned · 10
- Calheta
Almude 17.352.
Calheta is a town, parish and municipality on Madeira's south-west coast and one of the island's oldest settlements. The Elucidário covers its name, early settlers such as Pedro Berenguer, its church and many chapels, including one of a former Franciscan convent, and the 1834 riot.
- Câmara de Lobos
Almude 17.580.
Parish west of Funchal. The Elucidário traces its name to Zarco's discovery voyage and describes its churches, chapels and collegiate chapter, early settlers, fishing community and renowned vineyards. It also records the parish's localities, boundaries, levadas and population.
- Funchal
Almude 17.520 litres.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Machico
Almude 17.568.
The parish of Machico was the landing place of the discoverers Zargo and Tristão Vaz and the seat of the captaincy of Machico; the parish was founded c. 1450. The Elucidário covers its clergy and stipends, chapels, historical events, mineral springs, localities, population and notable natives.
- Ponta do Sol
Almude 17.400.
South-coast parish and municipality, settled from about 1440 by Rodrigo Enes 'o Coxo'. Its parish church of Nossa Senhora da Luz holds a triptych. The Elucidário also records its quay of 1848, paid for by the council, and the royal visit of 1858.
- Porto Moniz
Almude 20.272.
North-western parish and municipality with a quay and a tolerable port that serves as a good landing when southerly winds close the south coast. It has one of the oldest Magdalene chapels in northern Madeira, whose feast falls on 22 July. It was the birthplace of Dr Manuel Gomes Jardim.
- Porto Santo
Almude 17.556.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.
- Santa Cruz
Almude 17.328.
Santa Cruz is a parish and one of Madeira's oldest settlements, named after a cross Zarco had raised there at the discovery. The Elucidário covers its early ecclesiastical history, collegiate church, chapels, noble settlers and localities.
- Santana
Almude 17.604.
Santana is a parish on Madeira's north coast, praised as the most picturesque of the north. It was created from São Jorge in the 16th century, and the entry covers its settlement, parish priests, church, localities and population.
- São Vicente
Almude 20.538.
São Vicente is described as the largest and most populous parish of northern Madeira and the seat of the only town on the north coast. The Elucidário covers its settlement, church history, localities and landscape, and the deadly landslide of 1929.