It is no surprise that Madeira has earned the nickname "Pearl of the Atlantic". This beautiful Portuguese island in the North Atlantic harbours breathtaking natural sights, as well as a truly distinctive local culture full of lore and links to Portugal, North Africa and much more. The island has been known since ancient times. However, it took until the 1420s before it was finally inhabited by the first Portuguese settlers. The allure of this beautiful island, long known for its legendary beauty and lushness, prompted so many people to venture far from their homeland and literally jump into the unknown! Europe in those years was also struggling with the tight grip of feudalism and the danger of plague and the Black Death, which further encouraged people to look for something new. The first Portuguese settlers immediately took advantage of the island's climate, which was a combination of tropical and Mediterranean. The famous "levadas", which remain a prominent feature of Madeira to this day, were built to transport water across the island.
Roman Robroek is a photographer who captures forgotten places around the world. In particular, he is focused on creating stunning pho-tos of abandoned locations, rich with wonder, mystery and unanswered questions... Read more…