São Vicente, Madeira

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Coordinates: 32°46′26″N 17°1′54″W﻿ / ﻿32.77389°N 17.03167°W﻿ / 32.77389; -17.03167
São Vicente
Municipality (Concelho)
Pico da Cova, São Vicente, Madeira.jpg
Pico da Cova, a large escarpment overlooking where legend says Saint Vincent of Saragossa appeared to the religious faithful, inspiring the naming of the settlement, later municipality
Coat of arms
Official name: Concelho de São Vicente
Name origin: Portuguese for Saint Vincent
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Madeira
Island Madeira
Civil Parishes Boa Ventura, Ponta Delgada, São Vicente
Center Vargem
 - elevation 379 m (1,243 ft)
Lowest point
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 78.82 km2 (30 sq mi)
Population 5,723 (2011)
Density 73 / km2 (189 / sq mi)
Settlement fl. 1500
 - Municipality c. 1744
LAU Câmara Municipal
 - location Paços do Município
 - elevation 38 m (125 ft)
 - coordinates 32°48′13″N 17°2′46″W﻿ / ﻿32.80361°N 17.04611°W﻿ / 32.80361; -17.04611
President Jorge Orlando César de Jesus Romeira (PPD-PSD)
Municipal Chair Elias Manuel Soares Medeiros (PPD-PSD)
Timezone WET (UTC0)
 - summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1)
Postal Zone 9240-225
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 291 XXX XXX
Demonym São-vicentinos
Patron Saint Vicente de Saragoça
Municipal Holidays 22 January
Location of the municipality of São Vicente in the archipelago of Madeira
Wikimedia Commons: São Vicente (Madeira)
Website: http://www.cm-saovicente.pt

São Vicente (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w viˈsẽt(ɨ)]) is a municipality along the north-west coast of the island of Madeira.


The first human visitors to São Vicente appeared in the middle of the 15th century, colonizing the area much later than the settlers in the southern part of the island, owing to its fertility. This area of the island, due to its steep escarpments and deep river-valleys made early settlement difficult. The first settlers appeared in the areas of São Vicente and Ponta Delgada, respectively.

The progressive growth of its population lead to dis-annexation of São Vicente from the Captaincy of Machico, and elevation to municipal seat by royal charter on 23 August 1774. At that time the parishes of Porto Moniz, Seixal, Arco de São Jorge and São Jorge where under the administration of the municipal authority.[1]

In 1835, the restructuring of municipal government under the Liberal reformer Mouzinho da Silveira lead to the creation of two new municipalities (Santana and Porto Moniz) along the northern coast of Madeira, which reduced the area of São Vicente.[1][2] But, by 1867, under decree it reverted to its former dimensions.[1] In 1898, with the re-establishment of the former municipalities São Vicente began to function within the current territorial area.[1]


A legend exists that the toponomic name of the region, developed from an incident where Saint Vincent of Saragossa appeared in a rocky cove near the mouth of the river. Consequently, the settlers constructed a small chapel to the saint, owing to the great devotion to his personage.


Overlooking the main centre of São Vicente, with its parochial church

São Vicente is located west of Santana and Machico and east of Porto Moniz, linked by roadway to Santana and the western part of the island.

The municipality includes three civil parishes, that handle local government administration:

  • Boaventura - physically the largest parish, but with the smallest population density, it is located in the northeast coast of the municipality, and ultimately the last to be settled;
  • Ponta Delgada - a small parish, nestled between two promontories;
  • São Vicente - the largest parish in population and density, home to the municipal seat; it had a population of 3,139 (in 2011) in an area of 44.14 km²

Notable citizens[edit]

  • Gregório Joaquim Diniz (c. 1863 - 20 December 1931) - doctor, Sub-Delegate for Health, and involved in the first hydro-electrical production facility on the island of Madeira, at Pé de Corrida.[3]


  1. ^ a b c d "História do Concelho" (in Portuguese). São Vicente (Madeira), Portugal: Câmara Municipal de São Vicente. 
  2. ^ Boletim Municipal (April 2005), p.4
  3. ^ Boletim Municipal (August 2005), p.23

External links[edit]