Madeira map - Funchal, Madeira

The wine culture appeared during early settlement, through the incentives from Henry the Navigator. By 1455, the Venetian navigator, Luís de Cadamosto, on visiting Madeira, referred to the excellence of the Madeirense wines, principally the Malvasia castes from the island of Crete, which were being exported in greater numbers. By the end of the 16th century, the celebrated English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, cited the important export and notoriety of the Madeiran Malvasia castes: in Richard III the Duke of Clarence, the brother of King Edward IV selected a death by drowning in a barrel of Madeira.

 

#41 FOTW - Funchal, Madeira

The regulations and clarification of the dimensions, colours and symbolism of the flag of the Autonomous Region were approved by decree of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira on July 28, 1978.

The blue represents the environment that characterizes insularity and represents nobility, beauty and serenity. The gold mirrors the mildness of the archipelago's climate and symbolizes wealth, strength, faith, purity and constancy.

The Cross of the Order of Christ alludes to the following historical fact: the archipelago was discovered by two knights of the Household Henry the Navigator, who was Grand Master of the Military Order of Christ: João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira; becoming therefore a symbol of connection with Portugal.