From the beautiful fishing bay to the deep valley
Câmara de Lobos, located on Madeira's south coast, was the first place inhabited by João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator who discovered this 'pearl of the Atlantic'. He stayed there between 1420 and 1424, so this was the first settlement created in Madeira, elevated to parish status in 1430. Its historical legacy is, therefore, very relevant.
The name of this municipality comes from the fact that, when the island was discovered, there was a large number of sea lions in the cove that we can still find here today with the same configuration. In this region, various monuments recall this historical period, from the Nossa Senhora da Conceição chapel, founded in the 15th century, to the old convent of São Bernardino, from 1425, and the São Sebastião church, built in the 16th century.
Currently, the municipality of Câmara de Lobos has an area of 51.82 km² and a population of around 35,000. Besides the parish of Câmara de Lobos, the municipality comprises four parishes: Curral das Freiras, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Jardim da Serra, and Quinta Grande.
The landscape that surrounds this city is marked by the presence of its characteristic fishing boats known as 'Xavelhas'. Come and visit Câmara de Lobos!
Details
The municipality of Câmara de Lobos is home to a critical historical legacy. In addition to its monuments and stunning Atlantic landscapes, the municipality stands out for its centuries-old fishing tradition.
