After years of controversial debate & resistance, building work on the Madeira SkyPark began on Monday, 2 November. The tourism project links Curral das Freiras and Jardim da Serra, both in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos.
It includes two cable cars, an adventure park, a nature interpretation centre and a long zipline, as well as support buildings and space for local shops.
Construction Starts on 48.5 Million Euro Project, Opening Planned for 2028
The project is worth 48.5 million euros, according to the newspaper JM. The company behind it plans to open it to the public in 2028.
The SkyPark has a long history. It was first presented in 2021, and Times of Madeira has followed it through a suspension and the government's decision to move it forward.
First Cable Car Climbs 789 Metres Over a 1,012-Metre Route to Paredão
The first line will run between Curral das Freiras and the Paredão viewpoint. The route is 1,012 metres long and climbs 789 metres. It will have two cabins, each carrying 15 passengers.
The village sits at the bottom of a deep valley, known in English as the Nun's Valley. The cable car will lift visitors from the village to the viewpoint high above it.
Second Line Runs 3,070 Metres, Hanging 706 Metres Above the Ground
The second line will connect the Paredão and Boca da Corrida. It will be 3,070 metres long, with a difference in height of 230 metres, and will also have two cabins.
This is the line behind the record claim. According to the promoters, the cable will hang more than 700 metres above the ground, 706 metres at its highest point. The company presents it as the cable car with the greatest height above ground in the world and one of the world's longest suspended spans.
A 2,300-Metre Zipline Will Link Boca da Corrida and Curral das Freiras
The park will also have a 2,300-metre zipline, running from Boca da Corrida down to the station in Curral das Freiras. The operator says it will be one of the largest of its kind in the world open to the general public.
Operator Expects 200,000 Visitors a Year and 50 Direct Jobs
The promoters estimate that the park will attract about 200,000 visitors a year. They expect it to create 50 direct jobs once it is running.
In a statement sent to JM, the CEO of Madeira SkyPark, Nuno Freitas, described the goal:
"We are very excited about the next steps, which are decisive for the birth of the Madeira SkyPark, a project that aims to become a new regional tourist icon, attractive all year round and with the potential to draw national and international visitors."
Nuno Freitas, CEO of Madeira SkyPark
Freitas believes the park can spread visitors across the island and give more value to its interior. He also expects benefits for Curral das Freiras and Jardim da Serra, "creating new opportunities for local businesses and contributing to keeping and attracting residents and to the development of new economic activities in these places."
50-Year Public Concession Expected to Bring Over 400 Million Euros
The park is being built under a public concession that runs for 50 years. The company estimates it will bring in more than 400 million euros in public revenue over that time.
That figure would come from taxes, a fixed rent and a share of cable car ticket sales. It does not include indirect effects on the local economy, such as more business for shops and restaurants.
Public Consultation in 2022 Drew 402 Submissions on Environmental Risks
The project has faced strong opposition from environmental groups, citizens' movements and political parties. Their main concern is the impact on the scenery and ecosystems of one of the island's best-known natural areas.
Opposition began in 2021 and led to protests and petitions. During the public consultation on the Environmental Impact Study in 2022, there were 402 submissions. They raised concerns about biodiversity, geological risks and the local weather, especially strong winds.
The company says the project includes measures to reduce its impact on plants and animals. These include protection for Zino's petrel, a rare seabird found only in Madeira and known locally as the freira. The promoters also argue that cable cars will control access to the mountain and avoid the need for new roads, which they say would do far more damage.
Source: jm-madeira.pt
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