Porto da Cruz

Civil parish in Madeira, PortugalPorto da CruzCivil parishThe northern coast of Porto da Cruz, showing the mountainous Penha da Águia, as seen from the lookout of Portela (660 metres) Coat of armsPorto da CruzLocation in MadeiraCoordinates: 32°46′20″N 16°49′44″W / 32.77222°N 16.82889°W / 32.77222; -16.82889Country PortugalAuton. regionMadeiraIslandMadeiraMunicipalityMachicoArea • Total25.22 km2 (9.74 sq mi)Elevation553 m (1,814 ft)Population (2011) • Total2,597 • Density103.0/km2 (266.7/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+00:00 (WET) • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)Postal code9225-050Area code291PatronNossa Senhora da GuadalupeWebsitewww.porto-da-cruz.com Porto da Cruz (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpoɾtu ðɐ ˈkɾuʃ], is a civil parish in the municipality of Machico in the northeastern corner of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 2,597, in an area of 25.22 km2.

[edit] Church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe in central Porto Da Cruz The origin of the community's 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) were offloaded in the harbor. Between sky and water: the public pools in the coastal village of Porto da Cruz The parish of Porto da Cruz was created on 26 September 1577, by Jerónimo Barreto, establishing as its patron Nossa Senhora da Piedade (English: Our Lady of Piety). During the contract signing, the formal donation identified the new church as Nossa Senhora da Glória (English: Our Lady of Glory), but after completion, it was consecrated as Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (English: 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 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 sugarcane 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.