Prazeres ( en, pleasures) is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Port ...

archipelago of

Madeira ) , anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira") , song_type = Regional anthem , image_map=EU-Portugal_with_Madeira_circled.svg , map_alt=Location of Madeira , map_caption=Location of Madeira , subdivision_type=Sovereign st ...

. The population in 2011 was 704, in an area of 10.03 km².Eurostat
/ref> Prazeres is located along the main Regional 222 Roadway, linking it to

Fajã da Ovelha Fajã da Ovelha is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese island of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 895, in an area of 22.16 km².Estreito da Calheta Estreito da Calheta (Portuguese for '' strait of Calheta'') is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese island of Madeira ) , anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira") , song_type = Regional anthem , ...

. Agriculture continues to be the driving activity in the region, although commercial establishments are scattered within the community.

History

The name for the parish developed due to the existence of a small chapel in the area before the creation of the parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres ( en, Our Lady of Pleasures). The reference to ''pleasure'' came from local references to an area that captivated the senses and the areas symbiosis with earthly pleasures. Historically a part of Estreito da Calheta, this region became independent, along with some homes in Fajã da Ovelha on 18 December 1676.

Geography

Prazeres is central parish within the municipality of Calheta, juxtopositioned between

Estreito da Calheta Estreito da Calheta (Portuguese for '' strait of Calheta'') is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese island of Madeira ) , anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira") , song_type = Regional anthem , ...

and

Fajã da Ovelha Fajã da Ovelha is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese island of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 895, in an area of 22.16 km².Jardim do Mar Jardim do Mar ( Portuguese for ''garden of the sea'') is a civil parish in the western part of the municipality of Calheta in the Portuguese island of Madeira ) , anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira") , song_type = Re ...

. Similarly, this area is the primary agricultural lands accessed by ancillary roads that extend almost to the edge of the cliffs. Starting in the area of the Regional Roadway 222 the terrain is more inclined, and forested until reaching the Serra do Paul.

Culture

The Clube Desportivo e Recreativo dos Prazeres ( en, Sports and Recreational Club of Prazeres) is the local sports association, supporting athletes in many different areas (such as Futsal, badminton, gymnastics and/or athletics). The Sports Club is located in the eastern part of the parish, along with the main athletic field and air conditioned sports pavilion. The Caminho Real, one of the official ''Madeira Islands Footpaths'' (PR19) starts in Prazeres and leads to

Paul do Mar Paul do Mar is a civil parish in the municipality of Calheta, in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. The population in 2011 was 871, in an area of 1.40 km2. History The origin of the toponymy ''paul do mar'' is linked to its geographic p ...

. The parish has seven restaurants, serving typical traditional delicacies (such as cod) or other customary foods, such as Italian pizzas, lasagnas or pasta dishes. A popular drink, Poncha da Madeira, is a traditional liqueur drink made from lemon or orange brandy, and common in many of these restaurants.

References

;Notes ;Sources * {{authority control Parishes of Calheta, Madeira