Rua Fernão Ornelas (Fernão Ornelas Street), Funchal

Doctor Fernao de Ornelas became mayor of Funchal in 1929. He was 27 years old, the youngest ever mayor. He was a visionary elected to revive a city that was stuck in time. While in office he modernized streets, organized economic districts, brought progressive changes to education, sanitation, and created a modern and more accessible urban layout.

He created new streets and paved older ones. Fernao Ornelas Street, named for him, was an important access to the Workers Market (Mercado dos Lavradores), also his creation. The street opened in the 1940s. The growth of street enterprises accelerated in the beginning of the 21st century. There are few shops over twenty years old.

The esthetics of the Fernao Ornelas Street are tourist-friendly. A large part of the street is pedestrianized. There are terraced restaurants lining the street for 700 feet. The street ends at the Market Bridge, in front of the Workers Market.

On the right, by the the Ribeirinho Street (Rua do Ribeirinho), a lady sits in her wicker chair, stitching a pattern of Funchal lace and watching over the busy street. With all the modernity, the best things never change.