Christopher Columbus Legend

Christopher Columbus lived on the island of Porto Santo for a few years where he planned his journey that led to the Discovery of America. For long, grew the belief that in moonlighted nights, Christopher Columbus comes to Porto Santo beach and perambulates his nostalgia. It is said that he can be found walking on the golden sands, stopping from time to time and shading with his hand, and gazes toward the horizon. It is also said that at sunrise this figure dissipates into the air and is only able to be seen again on another moonlit night.

Christopher Columbus lived on the island of Porto Santo for a few years where he planned his journey that led to the Discovery of America. For long, grew the belief that in moonlighted nights, Christopher Columbus comes to Porto Santo beach and perambulates his nostalgia. It is said that he can be found walking on the golden sands, stopping from time to time and shading with his hand, and gazes toward the horizon. It is also said that at sunrise this figure dissipates into the air and is only able to be seen again on another moonlit night.


Legend of the Prophets

In the 16th century, lived in an isolated place of the northern part of the island, an eremite and rude shepherd, known as wild or fierce due to the few relationships he had with other people. Availing himself of the mystery that surrounded his life, he made himself out to be a prophet inspired by the Holy Spirit, who guided his steps and dictated his words.

One night he went down to the village, bringing a bell and stirred up the people who ran from all sides to see what was happening. The Holy Spirit occupied the soul of the prophet "Fernão Nunes" and told him to publicly unveil the faults and everyone secret guilt’s. The people were getting carried away by the shepherd and great barbarities happened.

Until one day, three island inhabitants who did not believe in the words of that prophet, went to Machico and ask to local authorities for help. The shepherd was arrested along with his niece Filipa, who was also involved, and they were sent to the King's court. They were sentenced to be at the door of the Évora Cathedral during mass on Tuesday, holding lit candles and big signs that read: "Porto Santo Prophets".

To this day, the local inhabitants of Porto Santo are nicknamed "Prophet" due to this peculiar situation.

In the 16th century, lived in an isolated place of the northern part of the island, an eremite and rude shepherd, known as wild or fierce due to the few relationships he had with other people. Availing himself of the mystery that surrounded his life, he made himself out to be a prophet inspired by the Holy Spirit, who guided his steps and dictated his words.<BR><BR>One night he went down to the village, bringing a bell and stirred up the people who ran from all sides to see what was happening. The Holy Spirit occupied the soul of the prophet "Fernão Nunes" and told him to publicly unveil the faults and everyone secret guilt’s. The people were getting carried away by the shepherd and great barbarities happened.<BR><BR>Until one day, three island inhabitants who did not believe in the words of that prophet, went to Machico and ask to local authorities for help. The shepherd was arrested along with his niece Filipa, who was also involved, and they were sent to the King's court. They were sentenced to be at the door of the Évora Cathedral during mass on Tuesday, holding lit candles and big signs that read: "Porto Santo Prophets".<BR><BR>To this day, the local inhabitants of Porto Santo are nicknamed "Prophet" due to this peculiar situation.


The apostle Saint Peter Legend

Saint Peter started to be venerated in Porto Santo by its inhabitants, especially by sea men, from the sixteenth century on. His image, the first to appear on the Island and that still today remains in the cult of the faithful, is involved in a legend.

The legend surrounding the image, which is in the chapel, even today is told by elderly people, passing from generation to generation.

The Legend says that a long time ago, there was a shepherd with his flock nearby Ribeiro da Quebrada, above the São Pedro Chapel. He went to drink water at a spring that was there and found the image of Saint Peter. He went immediately to break the news to the authorities and the image was carried in procession to the Parish Church.

However, the image as if by miracle, came to appear in the same Ribeiro. The decision was taken to make the Chapel on site below the appearance, where the image still remains today. The Chapel wasn’t built in the exact place of the appearance, due to the rains and the erosion that occurred there. Tradition also says that sometimes the image appeared with its back to the door, and on other occasions, with its back to the altar.

Saint Peter started to be venerated in Porto Santo by its inhabitants, especially by sea men, from the sixteenth century on. His image, the first to appear on the Island and that still today remains in the cult of the faithful, is involved in a legend.<BR><BR>The legend surrounding the image, which is in the chapel, even today is told by elderly people, passing from generation to generation.<BR><BR>The Legend says that a long time ago, there was a shepherd with his flock nearby Ribeiro da Quebrada, above the São Pedro Chapel. He went to drink water at a spring that was there and found the image of Saint Peter. He went immediately to break the news to the authorities and the image was carried in procession to the Parish Church.<BR><BR>However, the image as if by miracle, came to appear in the same Ribeiro. The decision was taken to make the Chapel on site below the appearance, where the image still remains today. The Chapel wasn’t built in the exact place of the appearance, due to the rains and the erosion that occurred there. Tradition also says that sometimes the image appeared with its back to the door, and on other occasions, with its back to the altar.


Eliza’s legend or the Necklace legend

It is said that a 10 year old girl by the name of Eliza lost her family one year after the end of World War 2, at Pico Castelo in Porto Santo.

There are reports that this child was cursed with a cursed necklace that she had in her possession, and that had been given to her by her own mother. Some people say that the girl, tired of being alone, committed suicide in a small river in front of an old barracks that today is a house. There are other people who say that the girl died hanging by the necklace. What we know is just that no one found her body.

Legend says if anyone repeats her name three times, at night, in front of the small river, she will reappear to curse the people in that house and surroundings.

It is said that a 10 year old girl by the name of Eliza lost her family one year after the end of World War 2, at Pico Castelo in Porto Santo.<BR><BR>There are reports that this child was cursed with a cursed necklace that she had in her possession, and that had been given to her by her own mother. Some people say that the girl, tired of being alone, committed suicide in a small river in front of an old barracks that today is a house. There are other people who say that the girl died hanging by the necklace. What we know is just that no one found her body.<BR><BR>Legend says if anyone repeats her name three times, at night, in front of the small river, she will reappear to curse the people in that house and surroundings.