Exploring the art behind the iconic calçada madeirense, one stone at a time — Year 2025
On 25th July 2025, the Madeira Friends community rolled up our sleeves and stepped into the shoes of the island’s traditional artisans.
We were proud to join the very first edition of “Calceteiros por um Dia”, part of the Artisans of Time initiative by Funchal City Council, through the Department of Culture and the Unit for Diaspora and Migration. Held at the Santa Catarina park, this hands on event invited locals and foreigners alike to experience the craft behind Madeira’s iconic stone pavements.
What did we learn? A lot more goes into these beautiful black-and-white calçadas than meets the eye. From cleaning and preparing the stones, to digging and leveling the ground, mixing the mortar, and carefully placing each piece by hand, it’s truly a blend of art, skill, and hard labor. We left with a newfound respect for the dedicated stone pavers who carry this tradition forward.
What makes the “calçada Madeirense” so special? The calçada is more than a decorative pavement, it’s a living symbol of Madeira’s cultural identity. Made primarily with rolled pebbles and volcanic stone (like seixo, calhau, and pedra navalheira), each piece is placed by hand to form symbolic patterns , geometric shapes, dates, religious motifs, and even coats of arms, each telling part of the island’s story.
What did we feel? Connected. Inspired. Grounded (both figuratively and literally.) As we chipped away and laid stones side by side with local professionals, we not only gained technical insight but also deepened our connection with Madeira’s cultural identity. This wasn’t just about paving stones, it was about building bridges between communities.
Why does it matter? These activities are more than symbolic. They bring visibility to ancestral knowledge, highlight Madeira’s cultural richness, and create meaningful spaces of exchange between local and international residents.
Ana Bracamonte, Funchal’s councillor for Diaspora and Migration, highlighted the importance of this event as a way to share, learn, and experience traditional Madeiran arts with the international community.
“This first edition aimed to bring the resident foreign community closer to Madeira’s tangible and intangible heritage, in an environment of sharing, learning, and integration — while also honoring the work of local stone pavers and raising awareness about preserving this ancestral knowledge,” she shared.
“This first edition aimed to bring the resident foreign community closer to Madeira’s tangible and intangible heritage, in an environment of sharing, learning, and integration — while also honoring the work of local stone pavers and raising awareness about preserving this ancestral knowledge,” she shared.
“This first edition aimed to bring the resident foreign community closer to Madeira’s tangible and intangible heritage, in an environment of sharing, learning, and integration — while also honoring the work of local stone pavers and raising awareness about preserving this ancestral knowledge,” she shared.
She also emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader effort to bring communities together:
“By offering these experiences, we strengthen bonds and a sense of belonging to this city — a city made by everyone.”
“By offering these experiences, we strengthen bonds and a sense of belonging to this city — a city made by everyone.”
“By offering these experiences, we strengthen bonds and a sense of belonging to this city — a city made by everyone.”
With over 7,000 foreigners currently living in Funchal, this type of initiative plays a crucial role in creating shared cultural moments and fostering integration, giving residents — both local and international — a sense of belonging and participation in Madeira’s ongoing story.
A big thank you to the organizers and stone pavers who welcomed us with patience, skill, and open arms. We’re already looking forward to the next edition, and we’ll never walk on calçada the same way again.
Glossary of Portuguese Terms