Cascata Agua d’Alto is a tall waterfall, west of São Vicente, along road ER101 on the Island Madeira, Portugal. There are several waterfalls on Madeira with the name Agua d’Alto, which means high water.
The waterfall is very easy to reach. It is located directly along road ER101 at the north side of Madeira. From São Vicent follow the main road west (1,5 km) to Seixal until you see a tall single drop waterfall, just before a tunnel.
There is no walk or many kind of views, but from path at the seaside you will an awesome view with the tunnel at the right. The waterfall has a single drop of approximately 80 meter but I think there is also a drop near the top of (visible) part of the waterfall.
The parish of Ponta Delgada, in the municipality of São Vicente, has a special connection to the sea, reflected in its centuries-old fishing tradition. It is not surprising, therefore, that the small bay that borders the coastline of this town became an area of special interest. Here you can find the Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex.
Located next to the mother church of the parish, this paid access complex has a series of spaces and facilities ideal for those looking to enjoy a day of bathing and relaxing moments. Thus, the space contains two swimming pools, one of which for children and the other for adults, both supplied with saltwater and with a water treatment system.
Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex also has an extensive sunbathing area, bar and terrace service, changing rooms, first-aid services and a parking area. In addition, all conditions are provided for users with reduced mobility.
Due to the rockfill construction carried out in this area, it has also been possible to create a beach in a small protected bay. All the conditions are therefore in place to enjoy some fun dives.
Details
The Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex consists of two saltwater swimming pools, a sunbathing area, terrace service, changing rooms, a parking area and a beach in a protected bay.
The north coast of the island of Madeira is known for its lively sea. It is not by chance that this is one of the favourite regions for surfers who choose this pearl of the Atlantic to ride the ocean waves. São Vicente Beach is one of the favourite places of these athletes, but not only.
Served by a bathing complex since 2004, it quickly became one of the most attractive spots in the municipality of São Vicente for lovers of water sports such as surf or bodyboarding. This area has a series of infrastructures to support these sports, given the excellent conditions of the sea here - quite different from those on the south coast of Madeira, where the sea is calmer.
In addition, São Vicente Beach has a 620-metre promenade connecting to Varadouro da Baía dos Juncos, the name commonly used to designate Baía do Mota - the municipality's most popular spot among the surfing community.
However, bathers who want to enjoy this space without venturing into extreme sports will also find various facilities. São Vicente Beach has a sunbathing area, a restaurant and a bar.
Details
São Vicente Beach is a popular spot with surfers due to the excellent sea conditions and its water sports support infrastructures.
Ponta Delgada is a parish in the municipality of São Vicente, on Madeira Island. Located on the north coast of the island, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, by Serra de Água to the south,
Boaventura to the east and the parish of São Vicente to the west.
History
The parish of Ponta Delgada is located approximately 6 kilometers from the municipality of São Vicente. Its Patron Saint is Senhor Bom Jesus, celebrated on the first day of January, whose image, according to the tradition, appeared inside a box, where it was placed on the beach in 1540.
On the first weekend of September, a large festival is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, better known as the festival of Bom Jesus, attended by pilgrims from all over the island, whose tradition dates back to the 16th century, with the famous pilgrimages to Ponta Delgada.
Manoel Afonso Sanha, Dom Fernando's squire, left for the island of Madeira in the service of Infante Dom Henrique, governor of the military order of Christ, and Lord in the storm of these islands. Manoel Afonso Sanha took up residence in the territory of the current parish of Ponta Delgada, where he was given many sesmaria lands, the third of which he left behind for his descendants, by will.
The founder of this village died on April 1, 1507, and is buried in the Parish Church where his grandson António de Carvalhal, knight of the habit of Christ, and noble squire of the house of El Rei, who died on July 15, 1507, also lies buried. 1598.
The founders of this village established a hermitage dedicated to Senhor Bom Jesus.
Ponta Delgada was a chaplaincy curate and the headquarters of the parish, created in 1550, was established there. As the settlement expanded towards the interior, the royal charter of February 4, 1733 created the curate of Boaventura, with headquarters in the chapel of Santa Quitéria, which was built there a few years earlier by the people, becoming an autonomous parish in 1836, thus detaching itself from the parish of Ponta Delgada.
Architectural and tourist heritage
The Main Church, the chapels of the Three Kings and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Bom Jesus Parish and Social Center, the Levadas, the Veredas, and the vare mills. As places of tourist interest, highlights include the D. Hilária Freitas Museum, the Casa Museu Horácio Bento Gouveia, which is served by two 3 and 4-star hotel units, the Serra Verde with several rare species, the water mills, the well of the pilgrims, the natural landscape and the various houses of the old morgadios, which gave rise to the name Corte do Norte.
The parish of Ponta Delgada is served by a seaport, in the place of the Church, and another called Passo de Areia.
Bathing Complex
It also has a paid Bathing Complex consisting of two saltwater swimming pools, a solarium, gardens, changing rooms, bar services with terrace and first aid, surveillance, and parking.
The Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex - located next to the parish church - consists of two swimming pools, one for adults and one for children, both fed by salt water and with a water treatment system.
Due to the construction of a rockfill, it was possible to create a beach in this small, protected bay in the parish.
Economy
In this parish with rich and fertile soil, the agriculture has always played a leading role in the local economy. Wheat, which was initially abundant agricultural production, was replaced by sugar cane production that fed the brandy industry through mills, now completely in ruins.
However, Madeiran sugar succumbed to a series of events that, as a whole, contributed to a decrease in production, as was the case with competition with Brazilian production, a lack of fertilization, soil disaffection, and climate change. In this way, the population looked for other replacement crops, and wine began to play an important role from the end of the 16th century.
Fishing was an important activity in the balance of the local economy, however, currently, its economic weight is irrelevant.
The Church of Senhor Bom Jesus
in Ponta Delgada
32.828508, -16.985596
The Church of Senhor Bom Jesus in Ponta Delgada is more similar to a Cathedral than a Parish Church, due to the works of art and paintings inside, such as those on the Nave (ceiling) of the church, which are of rare beauty. It is an authentic art museum.
The parishioners were eternally grateful to Father António Paulo de Ponte Sousa for the works he did in this parish. The renovation works on the Main Altar, the Side Chapels and the Nave, adaptation works on the Casa do Romeiro transformed into a Cultural Center, the construction of the Home for the Elderly, the Day Care Center, the improvement of the entrance to the Churchyard, among others.
No priest has ever done so much for this church and we will not know when another will appear to replace him, at least to remodel and restore what has been done. He was a novice priest with a brilliant mind.
Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex
32.827778, -16.985142
The parish of Ponta Delgada, in the municipality of São Vicente, has a special connection to the sea, reflected in its centuries-old fishing tradition. It is not surprising, therefore, that the small bay that borders the coastline of this town became an area of special interest. Here you can find the Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex.
Located next to the mother church of the parish, this paid access complex has a series of spaces and facilities ideal for those looking to enjoy a day of bathing and relaxing moments. Thus, the space contains two swimming pools, one of which for children and the other for adults, both supplied with saltwater and with a water treatment system.
Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex also has an extensive sunbathing area, bar and terrace service, changing rooms, first-aid services and a parking area. In addition, all conditions are provided for users with reduced mobility.
Due to the rockfill construction carried out in this area, it has also been possible to create a beach in a small protected bay. All the conditions are therefore in place to enjoy some fun dives.
Details
The Ponta Delgada Bathing Complex consists of two saltwater swimming pools, a sunbathing area, terrace service, changing rooms, a parking area and a beach in a protected bay.
