BWB – Madeira’s Terraced Fields

The terraced fields of Madeira have shaped the island’s landscape for centuries. They were created out of the necessity to make the steep mountain slopes suitable for agriculture. Through laborious manual work, stone walls were built to form narrow, level platforms that protect the fertile soil from erosion.

These terraces allow the cultivation of sugarcane, wine grapes, bananas, vegetables, and other crops. Their stepped structure helps retain rainwater and distribute it in a controlled way, often in combination with the levada irrigation system. In this way, a finely balanced interaction of water management, soil cultivation, and crop production developed.

The terraced fields are not only agricultural areas but also an expression of traditional ways of life. They reflect adaptability, perseverance, and the close relationship between people and nature.

To this day, many terraces are still cultivated and carefully maintained, while others are gradually being reclaimed by vegetation. For visitors, they represent a visible sign of Madeira’s cultural identity and an example of how human labor and natural conditions have been brought into harmony over generations.

By Fatima Kutzschbach