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Praça Amarela [C. Colombo], Funchal, Madeira, 2019[open in full screen]  

 
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What is the name of this square? No street plate anywhere to let us know. Locals are calling it Praça Amarela [Yellow Square], referring to the colour of majority of the houses on the square. Later we found out that official name is Praça Cristovao Colombo, that was living on the Madeira for some time. In my opinion it will be more appropriate to be called Praça João Esmeraldo, name of one of the streets bordering the square. Whole square was location where once stood the Manueline Casa de João Esmeraldo. He was Flemish who settled in Madeira at the end of the fifteenth century to produce and trade Sugar.

Archaeological excavations in 1989 have uncovered a large and important testimonies from the estate and everyday life between the sixteenth and seventeenth century.

  New Museum “The City of Sugar” is in the basement of newly erected building housing municipal offices. The exhibition combines two aspects, the findings from the excavations in the old houses of João Esmeraldo and artistic heritage and built, reflecting the economic power of the Sugar Cycle. Museum is dedicated to the memory of the golden period of the Sugar production on the island of Madeira, highlighting its cultural influences, Portuguese pottery, rare set of Manueline measures and coins of the reign of King Afonso V.

Beside this building there is also Municipal Court here cleverly designed with 5 stories "tower" hidden in the background. Middle of the square where "Cidade do Funchal" is written out of traditional Portuguese black and white stones in a same way as any other paving in the whole city. Is it marking, maybe, geographical center of the city?

Two other squares, #2 and #3 on our map, are in close proximity, one great and other one just to be curious about.

  Two of our favourite eateries, Well.com and Tea House are also taking its place on the Praça Amarela together with third restaurant Caffè do Praça. One more interesting space is on the south side, place to learn English. They are using quite interesting slogan to attract students: “Learning English is not Fake News”, using Trump’s image as an illustration. Side street is where Anabel will help you find all the necessary info or rent-a-car in “Go Local Madeira” agency.

Just few steps down the road is another connected Square, this one having name, Largo dos Varadouros, [2 last photos bellow] hosting Portas de Cidade [Gate to the City] together with the entrance to the main building of the city Police.

This newly created square is lacking some historical authenticity but it is quite well designed and extremely well used by both locals and visitors, like us.

Next Largo do Praça, Funchal
 
           
   
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types of squares
sociability
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ceremonial
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uses & activities
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religious
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social
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comfort
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residential
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image
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court yard
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  Praça Amarela, Funchal, Madeira  
             
  Praça Amarela, Funchal, Madeira  
     
  Praça Amarela, Funchal, Madeira  
           
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Last time updated on June 25, 2022 16:04