- From 17 to 20 September, the island of Porto Santo will host a new edition of the Columbus Festival.
- The event pays tribute to the legacy of Christopher Columbus in Porto Santo with a packed programme of historical re-enactments, traditional markets and cultural activities.
The Madeira archipelago consists of just two inhabited islands: Madeira and Porto Santo. The island of Porto Santo, with fewer than 6,000 inhabitants and kilometres of beaches perfect for enjoying the Atlantic Ocean, complements its tourist offering with a packed calendar of events throughout the year, such as the Columbus Festival.
Known as the ‘Golden Island’, it was the home of the navigator Christopher Columbus and his wife Felipa Moniz, daughter of the Portuguese navigator and explorer Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the first captain to be granted the Golden Island. For this very reason, this tradition honours the island’s Columbian past with grand celebrations inspired by the Middle Ages and rooted in the culture of that era.
From 17 to 20 September, the island of Porto Santo is transformed into a vast historical stage, filled with participants dressed in traditional 15th-century costume, re-enacting scenes depicting Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery.
Among the highlights is Columbus’s landing. Porto Santo beach is transformed into a veritable open-air theatre, with hundreds of people gathering to witness the arrival of the famous navigator. Aboard a replica of the caravel Santa María, Columbus disembarks on the beach and the procession continues through the streets, filled with music, traditional costumes and period re-enactments.
Another highlight of the festival programme is the traditional market. Along Largo do Pelourinho and the streets leading down from it, visitors can enjoy a market straight out of the 15th century, featuring items such as jewellery, clothing and decorative items, accompanied by musicians playing medieval tunes, dancers and circus performers who will amaze the little ones with juggling acts and fire shows.
Furthermore, the Columbus Festival has set aside Largo do Pelourinho (opposite Porto Santo Town Hall) and Praça do Barqueiro (next to the quay) to host entertaining parades, musical concerts showcasing instruments associated with the Middle Ages – such as the bagpipes and the flute – theatre performances, and circus shows…
There will also be exhibitions, talks and lectures on the voyages and life of Christopher Columbus, with activities tailored to different age groups so that everyone can learn about the island’s heritage. Furthermore, the Casa Colombo – Porto Santo’s museum – will open its doors so that visitors can discover the home where Christopher Columbus lived during his stays on the island.
The Porto Santo Festival not only offers the perfect opportunity to explore a little gem in the Atlantic, but also invites visitors to rediscover its history and celebrate the island’s spirit of exploration. Whether for laid-back holidaymakers or those seeking new experiences, Porto Santo is the ideal destination, establishing itself as a destination that combines heritage, culture and nature with a privileged setting and conditions.
About MADEIRA
This Portuguese island destination, comprising four groups of islands (Madeira, Porto Santo, the Desertas Islands and the Selvagens Islands), is just a two-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Spain. Voted “World’s Leading Island Destination” for the ninth consecutive year at the latest World Travel Awards, the island of Madeira is the perfect starting point for a visit to the rest of the archipelago, which offers nature, history, gastronomy, adventure and lifestyle in every corner. The Madeira Promotion Association (APM) aims to promote and raise awareness of Madeira as a destination abroad, both in the domestic and international markets, always in line with the strategies defined for the tourism sector in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Source: THE BLUEROOM PROJECT