Achadas da Cruz

Area: 10 km²

Population: 159 inhabitants (2011 Census)

Population density: 20,2 inhabitants /km²

Distance from the centre: 9,8 km

History

Achadas da Cruz is a village located between Ponta do Pargo and Porto Moniz, at equal distance from Ponta do Pargo and Ponta do Tristão. This curiosity set the tone for the first exploration carried out by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz through the coast and resulted in the division of Madeira into two captaincies, the other boundary being Ponta da Oliveira.

Achadas da Cruz is bordered by Ribeira da Cruz to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, Ribeira do Tristão to the North and the mountains to the East.

The land that originated the parish was under the responsibility of the captaincy of Funchal.

Today, this parish belongs to the Municipality of Porto Moniz but upon the extinction of this municipality, Achadas da Cruz became part of the Municipality of Calheta.

Garcia Rodrigues da Câmara is credited as the first settler, having been given land in Achadas da Cruz.

Achadas da Cruz is divided into the following villages: Achada da Arruda, Cova, Igreja, Pinheiro, Achada de Castro, Lombo do Simão and Terça. With less emphasis there is also Quebrada do Negro, Quebrada Nova, Fajã Nova, Fajã das Malvas, Pomar Velho, Pico da Azeveda, Risco, among others.

Although never proven, the name probably resulted from the chapel of Vera Cruz built in the third or fourth quarter of the sixteenth century. Due to simplification, the local abbreviated Vera Cruz to Cruz.

Heraldry

Latin Cross in reference to the name of the parish. The two silver waves over the blue shield symbolise two streams, Ribeira do Tristão and Ribeira da Cruz that divide the parish.

Three silver towers crown the top and a white banner with "Achadas da Cruz" in black at the bottom.

Economic Activities

Agriculture, livestock and handicrafts (wickerwork).

Festivities

Nossa Senhora do Livramento (1st May).

Heritage and Points of Interest

Contacts

Junta de Freguesia das Achadas da Cruz
Sítio da Igreja
9270-013 Achadas da Cruz
+351 291 853 378