Casa Tipica de Santana

Santana, Portugal | C.1550

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Submitted by: sooooclutch

Written by: Sarah McClutchy

Located 360 miles off the coast of northwestern Africa, the lush subtropical island of Madeira is known for emerald forests, dramatic mountain backdrops, and notable exports—its namesake fortified wine and a legendary footballer named Cristiano Ronaldo.

Among its architectural treasures, none are as recognizable as the “casas típicas“ or “typical houses”—tiny, triangular dwellings with thatched roofs and brightly painted facades. More than just postcard-perfect, these charming structures offer a glimpse into the rich history of this Portuguese autonomous region.

An uninhabited isle discovered by explorers João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira in the 15th century, its mountainous terrain and humid climate posed a challenge for early settlers that demanded practical solutions. Enter the A-frame, an efficient design that could weather the island’s wet conditions. Steeply pitched roofs quickly shed rainwater, while the small footprint made these homes easy to build with local materials like the island’s plentiful wood. In fact, it was the abundance of this resource that led Zarco and Teixeira to declare the island the “Ilha de Madeira”—Portuguese for “island of wood.”

Once scattered across the island, the casas típicas that remain are concentrated in Santana, a small town nestled on Madeira’s misty northeastern coast. Traditionally, typical houses were painted white with striking red doors and blue-trimmed windows—a palette as vibrant as the surrounding flora— and served as shelters for local farmers. Many fell into disuse as modern housing took over, but a revival in cultural preservation has brought them back into the spotlight.

Today, visitors can step inside restored casas típicas now functioning as shops and cozy museums. And if fortune favors you, a sip of poncha—Madeira’s signature cocktail made from rum, sugar and citrus juice—might await inside.

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