The island of Madeira, with its rugged and mountainous terrain, has long stirred the imagination of locals and visitors alike. One of the most intriguing stories involves the existence of ancient tunnels beneath the island — secret passages, forgotten galleries, and underground connections between valleys and peaks. But how much of it is true?

For centuries, theories have circulated about tunnels built by religious orders, smugglers, or even ancient civilizations. Some older residents tell tales of hidden galleries used to escape attacks or to conceal valuable belongings. Others believe that certain tunnels once connected convents, chapels, or coastal fortresses to the highlands, serving as discreet escape routes.

However, from a historical and archaeological perspective, most of these stories lack solid evidence. What does exist are the levadas — irrigation channels carved into the mountains since the 16th century. Many of these levadas pass through short tunnels, dug to cut across rocky hillsides and carry water from the humid northern regions to the agricultural lands in the south. Though impressive, they are practical and relatively modern structures, not “secret” in a mysterious sense.

In addition to the levadas, there are also old road and rail tunnels that once connected different parts of the island before modern highways were built. Some of these have been abandoned over time and now feed into the myth of forgotten passages.

In short, while there are indeed man-made underground structures in Madeira, there is no concrete evidence of mysterious tunnels built by lost civilizations. Still, the fascination lives on — fueled by ruins, oral histories, and the ever-present mystery of Madeira’s mountains. After all, in every legend, there may be a grain of truth… or at least a good story to tell.