Here are some interesting facts that make up the history of our rich and diverse Municipality.

1502 (1st July) – The Municipality of Calheta was created, according to a Royal decree conceded by Manuel I, o Venturoso. João de França built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça, creating and installing the new parish, which was also the seat of primogeniture he founded in 1503.

1535 – Establishment of The Santa Casa da Misericórdia (Holy House of Mercy)

1576 - Calheta was chosen for the new Municipal seat, due to its importance and noble traditions. The current civil parish of Prazeres was part of the parish of Calheta until 1733, creating an autonomous parsonage there, by royal decree of 12th November of the same year.

1751 – The first stone of the current parish church of Prazeres was placed.

1835 – Creation of the municipality of Calheta, as we know it.

1896 - Tristão Vaz Teixeira Bettencourt da Câmara, was graced with the title of Baron of Jardim do Mar. He was the owner and director of Diário de Notícias, in Funchal, still produced to this day.

1901 – The king, Dom Carlos I and queen Dona Amélia travelled to Calheta and Rabaçal whilst visiting Madeira.

1922 (5th June) – Grand opening of the lighthouse in Ponta do Pargo.

1944 (July) – Grand opening of the fishing neighbourhood in Paul do Mar (Housing blocks specially designed for fishermen).

In the civil parish of Ponta do Pargo, Dona Maria Amélia de Sousa, gave primary education to many individuals of both sexes, with much proficiency and even greater dedication, for a period of approximately 70 years. The parish of Ponta do Pargo belonged to the municipality of Porto Moniz dating back to its creation in 1835 until the year 1849, when it was suppressed, becoming a part of the municipality of Calheta. In 1855 Ponta do Pargo became, once again, a part of Porto Moniz until a law from 26th June, 1871 detached it from its original county and reinstated it in the municipality of Calheta, to which it still belongs.