A cultura da água: da patrimonialização das levadas da Madeira à oferta turística

Abstract

This paper discusses the analysis of an element of material culture that suffered an ‘heritage’ activation (in the late 90s), enhanced by the tourist industry, assuming since then, new functions and dynamics. It studies the levadas of Madeira, a heritage element used by both local people in irrigation practices, and by tourists, in gazing landscape and heritage. The attractiveness recorded by its multiple uses over several decades, leads me to conclude that their ‘brand image’ remains in the touristic imagery, thus contributing to the identification of Madeira Island as a distinctive tourist destination.

Keywords

• Heritage
• Processes of ‘heritagization’
• Tourism
• Tourist Products
• Water Ethnography
• Levadas
• Madeira Island
• Portugal