João Gonçalves Zarco, era o destemido comandante de uma expedição marítima, junto à costa de África, no momento em que uma forte tempestade o fez desviar-se de sua rota, tendo a embarcação aportado à ilha do Porto Santo. Seu nome deveu-se ao abrigo e ao santo abraço que os acolheu na baía de douradas areias desta ilha. Tal facto remonta ao ano de 1419. Ao avistar, dali, uma mancha escura que não se movia, Zarco empreendeu, mais tarde, uma nova viagem de descoberta, tendo desembarcado, na Madeira, no ano de 1420.

The archipelago of Madeira is part of Portugal, being situated at about 1.000 Km far from the Portuguese mainland and 700 Km far from the African continent. In this group of islands we can also find the “Golden Island” of Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands Selvagens and Desertas. The name “Ilha da Madeira” (translated Island of Wood) is due to the luxurious and thick forests which surprised Portuguese navigators when the island was discovered. João Gonçalves Zarco was the fearless captain of a Portuguese sea expedition along the African coast, which was driven by a big storm to an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. From this island, Zarco detected a distant black spot in the horizon which later led him to another voyage of discovery: he reached Madeira in the year 1420. Madeira is a garden bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. Its warm weather, its hospitable people and its beauty become mysterious and profound in its dream landscapes. Nowadays it is a first choice holiday destination, where the vibrancy of life mingles with the pulsing rhythm of nature, people and the sea. Zarco Residencial – rooms & apartments is situated at the heart of Funchal, main city of the island of Madeira. The city’s name comes after the aromatic wild herb “Fennel” which was growing in the area when the island was discovered. Nowadays this plant is still used to produce the famous and delicious candies called “rebuçados de funcho”. Funchal is a natural amphitheatre with white houses climbing up the hills, around a blue bay which harbours many ships and cruises visiting the island.