As from today the Principality has its own Video section. Please take a look at the Principality Video Channel where you will find the latest news coverages, interviews, documentaries of the Fort of São José and residents of the Principality.

We hope that you enjoy watching the videos.

On the 2th and 5th of October a large fleet of Talls Ships will be transiting the waters the Principality of the Ilhéu da Pontinha. These Tall Ships are part of a regatta to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Funchal (Funchal 500 Anos) … Continue reading this post…

Thousands of fragments of ballistic pieces, ceramic and stone objects, metal and bone were found in the excavations conducted by CEAM (Center of Studies of Modern and Contemporary Archeology) in the Fort of São José which is situated by the pier of Funchal. In a public appearance a propos the archaeological findings, Élvio Sousa, spokesperson and archaeologist for CEAM, affirmed that the interior of the Fort, which passes unperceivable for its external features, “reserves a great patrimonial interest”.

In accordance with the archaeologist, the pieces found may soon reveal some very important details of town life, on this island, in the past. Continue reading this post…

The City of Funchal is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Through August 2008, Funchal will celebrate 500 years. During the vast dominions of the Portuguese discoveries Funchal was the first to be granted the status of a City by the Portuguese crown. Its elevation attended to the development of its flourishing sugar culture. Yet another purpose was to transform Funchal into the main centre of a huge Diocese that was to control spiritually the vast territories acquired by the Portuguese, members of the Order of Christ, at the shores of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Continue reading this post…

Illustrious Sir Mr. President of Portuguese Republic

Subject: Request for meeting and borders closure.

Communication 124/2007

Excellency,

As representative of the Principality of Ilhéu da Pontinha authorised through His Highness King D. Carlos Supreme Chief of the Portuguese Kingdom), and accordance with the original documentation from the territory in 1903, as recognized by Royal Charter, Ilhéu da Pontinha wish to inform your Excellency that on 31 st December this year at 24:00 hrs, all land maritime and aerial borders with Portugal will be closed to traffic for both people and goods. Continue reading this post…

PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 29, 2007 – Prince D. Renato Barros, sovereign of the Principality of the Pontinha (Portuguese: Principado da Pontinha or Principado do Ilhéu da Pontinha), has formally announced the secession of the Principality from Portugal.

The Fort of Saint José is the headquarters of the Principality of the Pontinha, self-proclaimed country by Prince D. Renato Barros. The Fort of Saint José is located off the coast of the port of Funchal, capital of the Madeira Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal.

The history of the rock begins as early as 1 July 1419, when Portuguese sea captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, at the service of Prince Henry the Navigator, land on a rock, and carve steps and a shelter that can still be seen today. The history of the country, on the other hand, begins on 9 October 1903, when the then King D. Carlos I of Portugal, ancestor of D. Renato Barros, first Prince of the Pontinha, signed a Regal Letter (the original is kept in the Tower of London) that stated that the territory of the said Principality of the Pontinha, a rock where the Fort of Saint José is located (the building of the Principality), shall be sovereign.

Currently the case is being analyzed by the international community, including the United Nations. Prince D. Renato Barros expects to obtain the rights of a country, including the 200 nautical miles.

Prince D. Renato Barros states that he has good relations with the Brazilian Government, and if the Principality shall be recognized, it will be the door of entry to Europe.

The Principality of the Pontinha is a member nation of the Micronational Professional Registry, an international and intermicronational professional registry.

Source: Micronational Professional Registry

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The Micronational Professional Registry (MPR) is a Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth World resource which intends to evolve into an alternative nation Employment Agency and/or Chamber of Commerce. The MPR also issues independent intellectual property instruments such as Print Monopolies, Enterprise Names, Enterprise Marks, and MPR Patents.
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Vossa Excelência

O Principado da Pontinha tem a honra de convidar V. Ex. a estar presente e tomar parte na cerimónia de celebração do 104º aniversario a 3 de Outubro de 2007, da sua posse e domínio da soberania por aquisição livre a Portugal na data de 3 de Outubro de 1903, do Ilhéu da Pontinha, território de implantação do emblemático forte de S. José construção templária que remota a 1419 onde terá lugar o acontecimento histórico e cultural acompanhado de pequeno beberete Forte de honra. Continue reading this post…

By Manuel Luciano da Silva & Sílvia Jorge da Silva

On May 2005, my wife and I spent six days in Madeira Island. We were enchanted by its people, by the marvelous panoramas, by so many thousands of flowers, and also by its monuments and works of art. It was a fantastic trip!

On the last day of our stay in Madeira, we went to the most historical place in Madeira, which is located in Funchal harbor. We visited the small island which is now called the Forte of São José da Pontinha.

It was our guide Mr. Renato Barros (high school teacher) who is the legal owner of this small fort. He took us to the top platform of the fort, from where we could see on the Atlantic side, a triangular anchor and steps carved by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, and their sailors after July 1st, 1419.

Due to the dense forest that Madeira presented itself in 1419, the new discoverers, without knowing the dangers that might exist inside the forest, they decided to build a cave inside of this small island and therefore creating a fort with a shelter. For several years this dock served for people to get into Madeira and also to leave it.

As I contemplated this triangular anchor and the steps on this small island, my brain went all over the world to recall small islands and famous places where man put his feet for the first time:
Continue reading this post…