Seven heritage sites from Madeira will participate this coming Saturday in the national semi-final of the “New 7 Wonders of Portugal” contest, which will be broadcast by TVI starting at 9:30 PM from the National Palace of Sintra.
The Region will be represented by the Fort of Nossa Senhora do Amparo in Machico; the Rocha do Navio Cable Car and the Thatched Houses in Santana; the Parish Church of São Jorge; the Farmers’ Market (Mercado dos Lavradores) in Funchal; the Casa das Mudas Arts Centre in Calheta; and the Monte Palace Madeira Garden.
The candidates were selected on July 18 following the public vote for the contest’s regional phase, the results of which were announced during a special TVI broadcast held at Praça do Povo in Funchal.
Each heritage site competes in a different category. The Fort of Nossa Senhora do Amparo represents Madeira in the Castles category; the Rocha do Navio Cable Car in Major Works; the Thatched Houses in History; the Parish Church of São Jorge in Religion; the Farmers’ Market in 20th Century; the Casa das Mudas in 21st Century; and the Monte Palace Madeira Garden in Tourism.
The national semifinal brings together 49 candidates across seven categories; 21 of these will be selected for the grand final, scheduled for September 12—also in Sintra. That event will reveal the “New 7 Wonders of Portugal.”
Regional Secretary for the Economy José Manuel Rodrigues considers the selection of the seven candidates to be “a recognition of Madeira’s richness, diversity, and authenticity” and an opportunity to boost the national visibility of the region’s heritage.
“Each of these places tells a part of our history, highlights the innovative spirit of the Madeiran people, and reinforces the archipelago’s appeal to visitors,” the official states.
Voting will be open during the televised broadcasts of the semi-final and final, and can be done via phone call or the TVI Pass app.
In Madeira, the initiative is sponsored by the Regional Secretariat for the Economy, INVEST MADEIRA, and APRAM (Administration of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira).
