Information
Landmark: Santana HousesCity: Madeira
Country: Portugal
Continent: Europe
Santana Houses, Madeira, Portugal, Europe
Overview
In the northern town of Santana, you’ll find the Casas de Santana-bright, triangular houses with thatched roofs that stand as one of Madeira Island’s most iconic and picturesque sights.These traditional homes-known as “triangular houses” or “thatched houses”-stand out as a proud part of Madeira’s heritage, giving visitors a rare window into the island’s rural life and its centuries-old building traditions, with steep roofs that shed rain and thick straw walls that keep the rooms cool.Number one.The Santana Houses are famous for their traditional A-frame design, with sharply angled roofs that send Madeira’s frequent mountain rain sliding off like beads down glass.Most roofs are covered in reed or straw thatch, though some use wooden shingles, giving the homes a warm, rustic charm.The walls are built from local stone, cool to the touch and rough under the hand.Builders traditionally picked sturdy materials and techniques to endure the island’s fierce winds and pounding rain.Many houses wear bright coats of red, blue, or white, standing out sharply against the deep green of the landscape.The bright colors help the houses stand out against the mist that clings to the foggy mountains of northern Madeira, where Santana’s steep, thatched-roof homes have shaped the island’s cultural landscape since the early colonial days.Local farmers and their families once called these houses home, back when they were first built, with smoke curling from the chimneys on cold mornings.The design was practical, keeping out the island’s northern chill and damp while offering solid shelter.In rural areas, people lived in these traditional houses and worked their farms under the same roof.Farmers made their homes there, with chickens clucking in the lower rooms and goats or sheep penned just outside.Farming here once centered on crops like potatoes, cabbage, and corn, and the houses were built to blend with the rolling fields and serve the needs of rural life.Today, the Santana Houses stand as a proud emblem of Madeira’s agricultural heritage.They show how the island’s people make the most of what they have, building with straightforward but clever methods to suit the rugged land.You’ll find the Santana Houses in the village of Santana, tucked into Madeira’s green, mountain-covered north.Travelers often pause in the village to soak in the island’s wild cliffs and old-world charm, and one of the best spots to admire its iconic thatched houses is Santana Theme Park-a cultural and environmental space where Madeira’s history and traditions come vividly to life.In one corner of the park, you’ll find the Santana Houses-bright, thatched-roof cottages you can step inside to see their cozy, traditional rooms.Some are still lived in, while others serve as living museums, where you can learn how they were built and glimpse the daily life of Madeira’s earlier generations.Inside these houses, you’ll often find sturdy wooden chairs, worn by years of use, and tools true to their time, giving you a real feel for rural life on the island; in a traditional Santana House, the rooms stay modest, built for function over frills.The ground floor was usually packed with sacks of grain and worn wooden tools, while the family lived upstairs.In the center, a broad stone hearth glowed, drawing everyone close for warmth and the smell of stew simmering over the fire.In the colder months, the hearth drew everyone close, its crackle and warmth the heart of the home, while the room held plain wooden benches, a sturdy table, and a few chairs, just as you’d find in a country cottage.The houses would also feature handcrafted pieces-woven baskets, hand-forged tools, and sturdy farm implements-that give a glimpse into the old trades.Often perched in breathtaking spots, the Santana Houses sit amid Madeira’s mountains, wrapped in the deep green of the surrounding forest.Many houses sit close to the levadas-narrow stone channels carrying mountain water-where you can look out over rugged cliffs, silver waterfalls, and deep green valleys.The area around Santana lies within the Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.This region bursts with life, home to plants and animals found nowhere else-like the bright red Madeira firecrest flashing through laurel forests.A trip to the Santana Houses lets visitors soak in the island’s rare natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.You can go any time of year, but spring and summer are ideal-warm breezes sweep through the village, and the gardens burst with color.Winter in northern Madeira often brings steady rain, which can make strolling through the village a damp, chilly affair, though the whitewashed houses stand strong against the weather.Time your visit for a festival-the Madeira Flower Festival or the Santana Agricultural Festival-and you’ll find the streets bursting with color, music, and dancers in traditional dress.If you’re driving, Santana sits about 30 km (19 miles) northeast of Funchal, the island’s capital.The easiest way to get to the village and see the Santana Houses is to drive along the ER101, where bursts of sea air sweep in through the window.The drive treats you to sweeping views of the island’s rugged coastline and misty mountains.You can also catch a public bus from Funchal to Santana, though they don’t run often and the ride takes its time.The easiest way to see the area is often to rent a car or hop on a guided tour.At the Santana Houses, you can browse stalls filled with woven baskets, embroidered linens, and smooth wooden carvings-each piece carrying a touch of Madeira’s long tradition of craftsmanship.Nearby shops and market stalls brim with handcrafted pieces-woven baskets, carved wood-made by local artisans, and the Santana Houses stand as a vivid reminder of Madeira’s rural past and its distinctive architecture.These quaint, triangular thatched cottages capture the island’s cultural heritage and invite visitors to wander inside, where the scent of dried straw hints at the simple lives of Madeira’s first settlers.Whether it’s the steep thatched roofs, the centuries-old history, or the bright flowers edging the path, the Santana Houses are worth a visit.
