Description Calheta

The municipality of Calheta is located between the south and the extreme west of the island of Madeira and its area, of approximately 116 km², makes it the most extensive in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. About 12 thousand people live here.
 
It is thought that the origin of his name comes from the small bay or cove that serves as a port and that he attended João Gonçalves Zarco when he intended to go ashore. This is the meaning of the word "calheta".
 
In this location is located the Arts Center “Casa das Mudas”, a project designed in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape, which presents a wide cultural offer. Here there are exhibitions of a diverse nature, theater plays, musical shows, conferences and many other events.

There are eight parishes that make up the municipality of Calheta: Arco da Calheta, Calheta, Estreito da Calheta, Fajã da Ovelha, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Ponta do Pargo and Prazeres.

The Sociedade de Engenhos da Calheta is located in the village of Calheta. There you can see the machinery used in the manufacture of brandy and sugar cane honey and taste the traditional honey cake, accompanied by poncha.