Ruinas and beach in São Jorge
São Jorge on the north side is one of the oldest municipalities in Madeira and belongs to the administrative district of Santana. Founded in 1515, São Jorge celebrated its 507th anniversary in 2022.
In addition to one of the oldest water sawmills in Europe in the higher-lying district of Achadinha, São Jorge also has the well-known district of Calhau, located directly by the sea.
This is where the historic Ruínas de São Jorge, known far beyond Madeira’s borders, are located.
The most striking architectural element is the archway. This is the entrance to a sugar cane mill that was built here at the beginning of the settlement of the island. In some archives, the archway is also described as the entrance to the former fortress (redoubt) of São Jorge.
Today, the ruins are an impressive photo motif, especially because of their location overlooking the Atlantic.
The Caminho Real 23 also passes by here (the sign is visible on the Calhau bridge), which today connects the towns on the north coast as a hiking route.
