Achadas da Cruz – Madeira, Portugal

Achadas da Cruz on Madeira island is the ancestral home of my mother’s family. I grew up hearing stories of the tiny little parish town and the steep cliffs my grandparents had to hike up to bring produce back and forth from the even smaller village of Fajã da Quebrada Nova. It was like a pilgrimage for Alex and I to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors. When we came to the parish cemetery and I saw so many gravestones with my mother’s maiden name emblazoned across them it really hit home.

Local Parish Church – Nossa Senhora Livramento

Caldeira – My mothers family name

Local businesses include a post office and general store

At the top of the cable car terminal is the Calhau Snack Bar

The steepest cable car in Europe

Tiny village of Fajã da Quebrada Nova at the bottom of the cable car ride

Nearby are hikes along the levadas