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Islands of Azores - Ilha Terceira
This island is probably the most advanced of all the islands in terms of
modern comforts and communications due to the American Lajes
Airfield, an active military base on the north-east coast. The island is 29
kilometres long and 17.5 kilometres wide and has a population of 56.000. In
1983 the capital Angra do Heroísmo was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Historically, this port town has been important for boats trading between
the Americas, Europe and Africa. It was here that Vasco da Gama in
1499 laid his brother to rest after his pioneer voyage to India. In 1534
the Pope Paul III established the first diocese in the Azores at
Angra do Heroísmo thus making it the oldest town in the islands.
There is a local fable that during the late 15th Century the rebellious
Dom António, Prior of Crato who had taken up residence on this
island after fleeing from mainland Portugal and the Spanish King of
Portugal, he managed to defeat the Spanish army when in desperation he
crowded some 1.000 cattle onto the beaches and thus stopped the soldiers
from successfully landing. Another more likely version is that an
enterprising farmer's wife drove a herd of bulls onto the beach as the
Spanish were in the process of debarking from their ships. Later, during
the War of the "Miguelistas" the Duque de Terceira
was instrumental in securing the throne for the Duque de Bragança
when he sailed to the Algarve and supported by an English army advanced
north to relieve the besieged Duque in the north of Portugal. In
1589 Francis Drake sacked the town of Angra do Heroísmo followed
in 1597 by a battle between the Earl of Essex and Spanish ships in
the Bay. In 1642 the occupying Spanish surrendered and left the Island.
In 1832 Dom Miguel raised an army of 7.500 from the island to accompany
him back to Portugal to claim the throne.
The homes and the numerous churches reflect the past wealth acquired
during the 17th Century when the Spanish loaded with gold and treasures
chose this port as a stopover between the Americas and Spain. During the
last century the town's architectural structures have badly suffered,
firstly from earthquake in 1980 and three years later from a devastating
fire.
Overlooking the harbour is the Forte de São João Baptista (also
known as Forte de São Filipe), built in the early 17th Century
under the direction of the Spanish. Within its grounds it now houses a
comfortable Pousada. The 15th Century Convento de São Francisco
acts as the home for the local museum. The island consists of pleasant
forested farmland with some reminders that its origin is purely volcanic.
At the Algar do Carvão is the impressive sight of a dramatic
blast-hole covered in moss and a large subterranean cave that can be
visited. To the west is another attraction named the Furnas do Enxofre
which is hot steaming geysers providing colourful formations in the air.
This island also is famous for it special form of bull-running that takes
place through the summer. A bull is let loose in the streets but kept
tethered by one rope held by teams of men whose main hope is to keep hold
whilst the bull goes in its own way! The north coast at Biscoitos
there is a Museu do Vinho that explains the making of the special
local wine "verdelho". Another product for which this
island relies for an income is its quality cheese which finds its way to
mainland Portugal and the United States.
For the culinary inclined we suggest Sopas de Espírito Santo which
often varies according to the chef but the one based on pineapple is
recommended. Another dish of interest in the local Caldeirada, a
fish stew with an apple base.
The international airport provides regular flights to Lisbon and some
northern America cities. A boat service also connects the island with
Ilha Graciosa, Ilha de São Jorge, Ilha do Faial and Ilha do Pico
several times a week.
Island of Terceira Photos
Angra do Heroísmo
· Angra do Heroísmo
· Terceira Countryside
· Terceira Village
· Cabras Islands
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Island
of Terceira Events |
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| Festa Sanjoaninas |
24th June to 4th July |
| Festas do Espiríto Santo |
July/August |
| Festas de Espírito Santo |
Pentecost Sunday to 15th September
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Azores Islands
Corvo
· Faial
· Flores
· Graciosa
· Pico
· Santa Maria
· São Jorge
· São Miguel
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Useful Terceira Telephone Numbers