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Back when there used to be a train T
hose who know the town as it stands today might find it hard to believe, but the truth is Funchal once had a railroad. The tourist course connecting the heart of the Madeiran capital to the Monte parish, which can now be completed via a cable car, used to be done via train up until some 80 years ago. Recently, the Town Hall of Funchal brought the imagery associated with this train back to life through the renovation of the old building that used to serve as the Monte train station, in Largo da Fonte. Through the Comboio do Monte Interpretive Centre, the old train reopens its doors and both tourists and locals are given the chance to explore history. The renovations respected the architectural and historical identity of the building. The
new centre comprises three spaces on two floors. On the ground floor, there is a small auditorium as well as a tourist point. The first-floor hosts exhibitions about the train. Currently, people can embark on a trip down memory lane by visiting a display about the history of the locomotive which will be open until April 2022. The history of the only railway to have existed in Madeira begins in the late 19th century. António Joaquim Marques, born in Lisbon, presented the Town Hall of Funchal with a project proposal for a connection between the city centre and Monte. But the idea did not move forward, and the contract was given to a Madeiran, Manuel Alexandre Sousa. The project is finally approved in 1891 and the Railway Company is established immediately thereafter. www.essential-madeira.com 10
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ode parecer algo difícil de acreditar para quem conhece a cidade aos olhos dos dias de hoje, mas o Funchal já teve uma ligação ferroviária. O percurso turístico que liga o centro da capital madeirense à freguesia do Monte, que hoje pode ser feito com recurso ao teleférico, até há cerca de 80 anos era feito de comboio. Recentemente, a Câmara Municipal do Funchal recuperou parte do imaginário do comboio, com a reabilitação do edifício da antiga estação do Monte, situado no largo da Fonte. O espaço volta a abrir portas, agora como Centro Interpretativo do Comboio do Monte e passa a proporcionar, a locais e turistas, um verdadeiro reencontro com a história. Os trabalhos de recuperação tiveram em conta a identidade arquitetónica e histórica
