Ponta do Sol (headland, landing place and quay)
Original title: Ponta do Sol (Ponta, Porto e Cais da)
Describes the headland, small harbour and quay of Ponta do Sol, on Madeira's south-west coast, and the possible origin of the name. The quay was built by the municipal council in 1848–1850; a later extension project of 1880 was never carried out.
The stretch of coastline known by this name lies partly at the eastern end of the town (vila) of the same name. We have read somewhere that the name comes from the fact that, from this point, the sun can be seen all year round from the moment it rises until it sets below the horizon.
Close by lies the small landing place, facing the town and bounded in part by a short beach and by a small headland on which the quay stands, giving direct access to the centre of the town. Since the town is the seat of the municipality (concelho) and of the judicial district (comarca), and the landing place serves both it and other neighbouring settlements, this harbour handles a relatively large traffic in passengers and cargo, with frequent connections by coastal steamers to the city of Funchal and to some parishes on the west coast of Madeira. The quay, a work of some architectural pretension, was built by order of the Municipal Council of that municipality between 1848 and 1850. Several studies were made for extending the quay by making use of the reefs found at the site, and in 1880 a project and plan of works was drawn up, but the works were never carried out. The first name given to this quay was that of the Duke of Leuchtenberg, who was living in Madeira at the time of its construction.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 02Place
Places mentioned · 06- Ponta, Porto e Cais da Ponta do Sol · Subject
Ponta do Sol
This entry describes the headland, small harbour and quay of Ponta do Sol on Madeira's south-west coast, and the possible origin of the name. The quay was built by the municipal council in 1848–1850; an extension project of 1880 was never carried out.
- Cais da Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol. Architecturally notable quay built 1848–1850 giving direct access to the town centre.
The Cais da Ponta do Sol is the landing quay of Ponta do Sol, begun on 8 May 1848 and apparently finished in 1850 at the municipal council's expense. It is architecturally notable and gives direct access to the town centre, though landing there was sometimes harder than at Lugar de Baixo. The rock above it shows plates of specular iron.
- Funchal
City linked to Ponta do Sol by frequent coastal steamer services.
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.
- Ponta do Sol
Coastal headland at the east end of the town, subject of the entry.
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.
- Ponta do Sol
Town, seat of the municipality and judicial district, served by the port.
Town and municipality of Ponta do Sol on Madeira, an early sugar-producing centre raised to a town in 1501. The Elucidário traces the changes in its municipal territory and its role as seat of a judicial district (comarca).
- Porto da Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol. Small harbour in front of the town with busy passenger and cargo traffic by coastal steamers.
Porto da Ponta do Sol is the small harbour in front of the town of Ponta do Sol. Coastal steamers bring it busy passenger and cargo traffic. It lies 2.4 miles from the Porto da Fajã do Mar.
People
People mentioned · 01-
Nobleman living in Madeira when the Ponta do Sol quay was built, after whom the quay was first named.