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Laurisilva of Madeira
Floresta Laurissilva na Madeira · Seixal
protected area in Portugal
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:55
Welcome to the Flor-es-ta Lau-rees-seel-va da Ma-day-ra, the Laurisilva of Madeira. You are standing in a living time capsule, a prehistoric forest that dates back 20 to 40 million years to the Tertiary period. …
Listen in the app2The Four Laurels — The Backbone of the Forest1:45
The Laurisilva is named for its dominant tree species: the laurels. There are four primary types that make up the canopy of this ancient woodland: the Till, the Loureiro, the Vinhatico, and the Barbosano. …
Listen in the app3The Levadas — A 600-Year-Old Water System1:43
One cannot speak of the Laurisilva without mentioning the levadas. These are narrow irrigation channels that were first constructed by colonists 600 years ago to bring water from the rainy north of the island to the agricultural…
Listen in the app4Endemic Fauna — The Birds of the Relic Forest1:37
The isolation of Madeira has led to the evolution of several unique animal species, particularly among the bird population. The most famous is the Trocaz pigeon, or Madeira Laurel Pigeon. …
Listen in the app5The Humid Microclimate — Mist and Resilience1:39
The atmosphere of the Laurisilva is defined by its humidity. Moist trade winds from the Atlantic are forced upward by Madeira's steep mountains, where they cool and form a thick, persistent mist. …
Listen in the app6UNESCO Status and Conservation Challenges1:45
The designation of the Laurisilva as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 was a turning point for its protection. It brought international attention and funding to a forest that was previously under threat from agriculture,…
Listen in the app7Cultural Significance — The Forest in Madeira's Soul1:32
For the people of Madeira, the Laurisilva is more than just a forest; it is a fundamental part of their identity. For 600 years, they have lived alongside this woodland, drawing from it the resources they needed to survive. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:41
As we conclude our journey through the Flor-es-ta Lau-rees-seel-va da Ma-day-ra, we are left with a profound sense of the scale of time. This forest has survived volcanic eruptions, ice ages, and the arrival of humans, standing…
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What is Laurisilva of Madeira?
Laurisilva of Madeira is a place in Seixal with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Seixal |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 13 min 37 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 32.7667, -17.0000 |
| Last updated |