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Quinta da Penha de FrançaQuinta da Penha de França

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Madeira Island

According to the historian Gaspar Frustuoso, the discovery of Madeira Island took place on the 1st of July 1419, as the fleet, commanded by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira docked on the bay of Machico. This version is considered the official one, being established that the 1st of July is regional holyday in Madeira. The arrival of the first settlers is a polemic mystery, being known that it began at the end of the XV century, when D. Henrique on his writings, divided the island in three navy bases commanded by João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz and Bartolomeu Perestrelo, as the leaders of the first settlers.