Every photographer has his or her favorite subject and interest to perpetuate it on an image. For most of them it means to travel around the world to find the desired objective. Only a few places in the world that one can find a large number of photogenic treasures into one place. Madeira Island is one of these places.
Madeira is truly a chest full of photographic gems and jewels that the photo-pirates can put their hands on. The island offers a large variety in photogenic subjects, from Mother Nature’s creations to modern man-made structures.
Madeira is well known for its beauty, peaceful environment and all year round pleasant climate, but Madeira is also a photographer’s paradise. Its natural infrastructure and biodiversity offers a lot of photo opportunities in a acceptable travel radius by short drive or walk.
Madeira is actually a mini-continent and one can come across the following interesting subjects:
The oldest historical buiding (Sé Cathedral, 1485);
An unique Airport (2000): rewarded with the IABSE, “Oscar” for the Outstanding Structure;
World oldest forest and Unesco heritage site (Laurissilva Forest);
2,500 km of unique mini-canals (Levadas);
The Atlantic Ocean;
Majestic mountains (1,862 mtr);
Blissful gastronomy;
Memorable culture;
And many more …
… that makes Madeira the ideal location for photography.
When walking on Madeira … take a moment to contemplate the surroundings and you will discover a different Madeira … a Madeira that tells you a nostalgic story. This is the story that the Levada da Calheta tells you …
Preparations are taking place in Funchal (Madeira) for the Flower Festival, that will take place from 15th to 18th of April. This year the event will be more greater and impressive than the last one … as this festival will be celebrated by its locals with a special feeling as this is considered to be a decisive turning point for Madeiras rebirth since the storm of February 20th.
The street parade on the 18th will be exhibiting and perfuming the air of Funchal with a multiplicity of floral species of the island. Gathering thousands of children on the Praça do Município where they will build the “Wall of Hope” with flowers.
But the island itself already has started with its own preparations for this event. Mother Nature has its own agenda and (luckily) she does not wait for the human beings. Flowers are having their own debut in the Laurisilva and other regions on the island.
Walkers, when hiking through the veins of the island, have captured a few of these flora-princesses on photo. We have made a selection of these pictures for those who cannot wait for the festival or could not book a trip to Madeira on time …. then sit back and enjoy the following flower parade …
