The Origins Of Porto Moniz In Madeira
Porto Moniz is one of Madeira's most visited day-trip destinations - and rightly so
. This humble coastal village is home to the globally famous sea-water volcanic rock swimming pools. Here, tourists can safely bathe in the sea with the waves breaking against the jagged volcanic rocks surrounding them. This pastime is exploited by Madeira's visitors and locals alike.
However, Porto Moniz is not just a one attraction destination. The Village is home to the Madeira Aquarium, which is housed in a reconstructed ancient fort building, and the modern Living Science Centre, a top permanent exhibition of interactive science-based displays.
Because of its position, Porto Moniz is not on the agenda by those visiting on Madeira. However, there is a constant requirement for a West of Madeira Island Tour, featuring the delights of Porto Moniz and other top tourist locations is available for online booking.
Porto Moniz is certainly a current day favourite, but the community and how its name was derived has an intriguing history...
The historical past associated with Porto Moniz is virtually as historic as that of Madeira's capital and main economic center, Funchal. This compact community, found at the extreme north west end of Madeira archipelago, was probably founded at some point during the late 1400s. Originally it held the identity of Porto do Tristao and in fact is referred to with this title in a number of reports dating from the 1530s. At the period in history, the village has to without doubt have been an insignificant outpost with few residents.
Not more than one hundred years had passed before Porto do Tristao was rechristened Porto Moniz. This renaming happened at a date widely believed to be close to 1570.
Whilst no definitive proof exists, it is a widely held belief that the name change was at the behest of Francisco Moniz who was one of the original landowners in the newly established coastal settlement and surrounding area. As an indication of the social standing and importance of Francisco Moniz, it is sufficient to note that he became the husband of Filipa da Camara, a granddaughter of Joao Goncalves Zarco, the father of modern Madeira.
However, the Francisco Moniz link has increasingly been doubted by quite a few since the name Moniz was probably well-known in the freshly inhabited archipelago. Joao Goncalves Zarco's 2nd spouse bore the title of Isabella Moniz. Furthermore, the original governor of the nearest island of Porto Santo had been one Bartolomeu Perestrello. Bartolomeu's daughter, Filipa Moniz Perestrello, was famed for marrying Christopher Columbus. As had become the custom, Filipa's middle title, Moniz, was obtained from her mother's unmarried title. For that reason, it appears that there had been numerous significant Moniz kith and kin in and around Madeira around the time of the late 1500s century that may rest claim to the honor of being the inspiration for the naming of the recently founded Municipality of Porto Moniz.
What appears to be without doubt though is that Francisco Moniz subsidized the construction of the Nossa Senhora da Conceicao chapel that stood some 300 yards back from the waterfront at Porto Moniz. This church served the tiny local population of farmers and fishermen.
Make sure that you enjoy your excursion to Porto Moniz - and do not forget you are visiting living history!
Copyright (c) 2011 Robert James
by: Robert James
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