Santana — Thatched Houses & Primeval Forest
Santana is Madeira's most iconic village — not because of its size (about 3,500 inhabitants), but because of its famous Casas de Colmo: triangular, thatched cottages with brightly painted doors and window frames that look like something out of a fairy tale. These traditional farmhouses, whose shape dates back to the 16th century, are the quintessential landmark of Madeira.
In the Parque Temático da Madeira on the outskirts of the village, several Casas de Colmo have been restored to showcase the traditional rural life of the island. The theme park (entrance 10€) also offers a walking path through native flora and a multimedia exhibition on the history and culture of Madeira. A few authentic Casas de Colmo still stand in the village itself — they are inhabited and not a museum, so photograph respectfully.
The surroundings of Santana are a hiker's paradise: From here, the Levada hikes to Caldeirão Verde (one of Madeira's most beautiful, see Levada chapter) and the neighboring Caldeirão do Inferno begin. The landscape is lush green — dense laurel forests, tree ferns, moss cushions, and mist banks wafting through the trees. Santana is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva — the largest contiguous laurel forest in the world.
The municipality of Santana has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2011 — a testament to the unique fusion of culture and nature in this region. From Santana, a trip to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) via the access path from Achada do Teixeira is also worthwhile — the shortest and easiest ascent to Madeira's highest peak (about 45 minutes, 2.8 km).
