Many traditional houses are surrounded by terraced plots of land used to grow fruit and vegetables for the family.
Extra produce is sold in the local markets. These were originally open air markets until the splendid Mercado dos Lavradores, the Farmers Market, was opened in 1940. This is a wonderful Art Deco building on the edge of the old town. The walls are decorated with azulejo tiles depicting local scenes.
Built on three floors around a central courtyard, this is now the main market for the surrounding area.
Women in national costumes sell flowers near the entrance. Beyond are stalls selling every variety of fruit and vegetables imaginable.
At the back of the market is the large fish market selling black scabbard fish, huge tuna and sardines.
There are delicatessen stalls, a butcher and even stalls selling craft items a lot cheaper than in the tourist shops in the town.
It is WONDERFUL although there are reports or unwary tourists being scammed into paying a lot more for produce than the locals…
“More pictures”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/madeira/funchal/market/index.html
All my pictures of Madeira are “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/madeira/index.html
