Made from wicker, they remain a quintessential Madeiran attraction
Until April 24th, the Madeira Ethnographic Museum offers you a journey through the secrets behind the making of the famous wicker basket sleds that slide down from Monte on a daily basis.
The ‘Rides with over a century of History’ exhibition shows the materials and fabrication of one of the most unique means of transportation in the World.
They were created by Russel Mannsess Gordan, a wine trader who adapted ox carriages that carried loads into a means for transporting people.
The sleds became a tourist attraction in the late 19th century.
Nowadays, these sliding vehicles made from wicker carry two people.
Their ‘drivers’, the carreiros, are equipped with rubber boots that have thick soles so they can be used as a stopper.
The ‘Rides with over a century of History’ exhibition shows the materials and fabrication of one of the most unique means of transportation in the World.
They were created by Russel Mannsess Gordan, a wine trader who adapted ox carriages that carried loads into a means for transporting people.
The sleds became a tourist attraction in the late 19th century.
Nowadays, these sliding vehicles made from wicker carry two people.
Their ‘drivers’, the carreiros, are equipped with rubber boots that have thick soles so they can be used as a stopper.
