History of Madeira Photo Gallery

Monte toboggan operators in traditional dress waiting for tourist customers. The Monte toboggan ride dates from 1850 when the locals used this unique form of wicker basket transport (cestos do Monte) as a fast means of travelling into Funchal. In particular, goods were transported this way. Today, the tradition is kept alive exclusively for the tourists. The route of the toboggan ride was reduced in 2003 from 4 kilometres to just 2 kilometres today and the entire journey now takes only about 10 minutes. Speeds in excess of 40km/h can be reached on the steep roads and the ride can be exhilarating, but the cost is rather steep as well.