The main reason to fly to Madeira

Colorful samurai, minerals from Peru, masks from Zimbabwe, redwoods from America, Australian acacia, friendly peacocks, wicker sleigh riding – all in one place Portuguese. In our material – the story of the Monte Palace Tropical Park on a secluded island.

Madeira’s uniqueness begins with geographical origin. The archipelago is located next to Africa and is located on the lithospheric plate of the continent, but culturally, economically and politically belongs to Europe. From the Middle Ages the island became a convenient harbor for ships voyages, and now has become one of the main Portuguese resorts. For someone Madeira associated exclusively with local fortified wine called Madeira, but the main attraction of the island yet tropical garden Monte Palace.

In the XVIII century, a British consul in Madeira decided to make a piece of paradise to relax, and the choice of place, he just was not mistaken: the island is located at the crossroads of continents, making it a unique flora and fauna. It remains only to add to it a couple of buildings for a luxurious island life. Much of what architects erected in those days, still standing in its original form – but time on the island no one else to deal with vandalism. Perhaps the best photo that characterizes human stratagem buildings with the local nature, it will:

Now monstrous concentration of exotic plants and animals supplemented with a variety of museums, exhibitions and cafes that make the park more attractive to tourists. After a trip to the island’s main city Funchal way to the palace of Monte ends. To get to the tropical garden need a cable car. You can, of course, on the bus, but the cabin is much more effective.

The booklet, which is given together with the tickets, painted several route options. Some are designed for nature lovers, others – for those who are interested in art and history. There is also something in between – an option that can accommodate a maximum number of local coverage of “goodies” in the minimum time. Museums are located in buildings and in the open air, but their main feature – the diversity of cultures. In the palace of Monte on the second floor is a collection of bizarre African sculptures and the floor below – a collection of more than seven hundred minerals from North and South America, Africa and, of course, Portugal.

Right on track can be found exposure of ceramic mural dedicated to Portuguese history. Detailed study of these works mainly Portuguese themselves, but look works really unusual.

Everywhere huge number of sculptures, and is not only a classic, but something original like girls with a rope or a guy with a pipe.

The topic of cultural diversity successfully supports Japanese garden, where there is a pagoda, a cozy pond, well-kept in an Asian style, wall-history of cultural and economic cooperation between Portugal and Japan and even fun colorful figures of the samurai. The sudden appearance of the Japanese track in Portuguese tropical park on African territory in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean – quirks creator garden Joe Bernardo, charmed Eastern culture.

You can also find a bizarre combination of modern art with sculptures, claiming antiquity.

Cultural diversity of the park is really very large, but it is still a tropical garden, and the longest route will have to undergo an admirer of flora and fauna, because the park covers 70 thousand sq. Meters and each of them is something to see. A cursory examination of, at best, leave for 2 hours, with unhurried – the whole day. During the mini travel will meet the bamboo thickets, huge ferns, palms, African Cleve, Himalayan orchids, azaleas, Belgian, Australian acacia and American redwoods – in general, again a mixture of interesting examples from around the world.

If you are very lucky, you can find a walk in the thickets of the peacock. And if you’re lucky even more, and to see his legendary open tail.

To get rid of fatigue after long walks and positive energy to the maximum, finish visiting tropical garden need traditional Madeira fun – skating on the wicker sleigh. For a modest fee you are ready to send the traveler to a fascinating trip down the serpentine. No rise in the cable car with the beats.