Porto da Cruz (ˈpoɾtu dɐ ˈkɾuʃ, port of the cross) is a civil parish in the municipality of Machico

Machico

Machico is a city and municipality in the northeastern part of the island of Madeira, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The easternmost municipality on the island, it is also the third most populous area; its population was 21,747...

 in the northeastern corner of Madeira

Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...

. In 2001 the resident population included 2793 people, dispersed throughout an area of 25.22 km² (there were approximately 110 inhabitants per km² at that time).

History

The origin of the communities name came from the fact that the original discoverer affixed a steel cross at the port, in order to better identify the location to ocean travelers. During the early settlement of the northern coast, goods destined for the northern communities (such as Santo António da Serra

Santo António da Serra (Santa Cruz)

Santo António da Serra is a parish in the district of Santa Cruz in the Madeira Islands. The population in 2001 is 982, its density is 66,5/km² and the area is 14.77 km²/1,477 ha. It is located W of Machico and ENE of Funchal. The main industry are agriculture...

) were offloaded in the harbor.

The parish of Porto da Cruz was created on 26 September 1577, by Jerónimo Barreto, establishing as its patron Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety). During the contract signing, the formal donation identified the new church as Nossa Senhora da Glória (Our Lady of Glory), but after being completed it was consecrated as Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadaloupe).

Since its establishment, the parish pertained to the Captaincy of Machico, but in 1835, it was integrated into the municipality of Santana

Santana, Madeira

Santana is a municipality along the northern coast of the archipelago of Madeira-Human geography:Santana includes six parishes, within a rugged mountainous environment, most occupying river-valleys:* Arco de São Jorge* Faial* Ilha...

 with the administrative reforms of the Liberal regime. On 19 October 1852, these changes were nullified and the parish returned to the municipality of Machico.

Cultivation and harvesting of sugar-cane occupied the activities of early settlers. The aguardente factory, completed after 1858, was part of this industry, converting the grapes and juice into a local spirit, uniquely cultivating the American caste of grape in this territory.

Geography

The northern parish is enveloped by the mountains of Paul da Serra: Pico da Suna (1040 metres), Pico do Larano (765 metres) and Pico da Maiata (766 metres) are the highest points in the parish. Even along the coast, Penha de Águia (a mountainous escarpment 580 metres in altitude) is difficult to climb; the area, Penha da Águia, means mountain of the eagles, giving the impression that only the birds settle these lands.

The rugged terrain and difficult communication has, over the years, resulted in small agglomerations of inhabitants, resulting in a "community of communities" that includes 78 different localities:

Cabeço da Volta Cabeço do Vento Cabeço Velho Caias Velho Cal Caldeirão Canavieira Cancela – Larano Casas Próximas Castelejo Carquejas Cerrado Chã Chãs Chão da Cevada Chão das Feiteiras Chão das Moiras

Chão dos Tocos Chiqueiros Choupana Caminho Chão Caminho do Moinho Caminho Novo Córrego da Lapa Currais Curralinho Degolada Eira (Referta) Eira do Toco Espigão Espigão Amarelo Fajã da Madeira Fajã do Mar Fajã do Milho

Fajã da Palmeira Fajanzinha Fajã do Furado Folhadal Fontana Fonte Vermelha Fontes Fontinha Francelho Forca dos Ratos Fonte São João da Fonte Furado Furna do Negro Galo Gambão Ginjas Ilhéu

Jangalinha Jãvelho Jogo da Bola Juncal Junqueira Ladeiras Ladeira da Rocha Ladeirada Paulina Lajedo Lajinha Lamaceiros Lameiro Larano Lava-pés Levadiça Lombinho Lombo

Lombo do António Dias Lombo do Capitão Lombo da Carqueja Lombo Comprido Lombo do Cura Lombo da Forma Lombo do João Nunes Lombo dos Leais (Folhadal) Lombo do Morgado

The parish seat, is the central point, responsible for delivery of municipal services, as well as the location of the primary school, lyceum

Lyceum

The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...

, gymnasia, central church and primary square .