Funchal , the seat of government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, owes its name to the Portuguese word "funcho" , meaning fennel . When Portuguese navigators, led by João Gonçalves Zarco, arrived on the island of Madeira in 1419, they discovered a large quantity of wild fennel growing on the slopes of the region.
Since the colonization of Madeira, Funchal has been chosen as the site of the first permanent settlement on the island, due to its favorable geographical conditions and its natural harbor. The first Portuguese settlers quickly began to develop the area for agriculture, in particular the cultivation of sugar cane, which would become an economic pillar of the island for several centuries, and Madeira wine, which would experience significant development in the 18th century, highly prized by the English. The city of Funchal thus gradually developed around its port, becoming the main urban and commercial center of Madeira.
From the 16th century onwards, the city became a major administrative and cultural centre of the Madeira archipelago. The Santa Clara Monastery and the Funchal Cathedral , built at the beginning of the 16th century, were among the first major religious buildings that marked the urbanisation of the city.
In the 19th century, with the end of the sugar cane monopoly and the consolidation of the wine industry, the city gradually transformed into a tourist center, particularly with the arrival of wealthy European visitors seeking to take advantage of the island's pleasant climate.
Since the early 2000s, tourism has been booming thanks to the modernization of infrastructure, the growing reputation of the island and the ever-pleasant climate. The city has become a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and modernity, offering visitors a unique experience of culture, history and natural beauty.
