Page 370 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

EXPERIENCE MORE

2 green and hilly east side of
the island. Towards the east
Santa Maria coast, the village of Santo 1983
Espírito is worth visiting for
! C6 ~ 3 km (2 miles) NW of the white Baroque façade of Angra do Heroísmo is
EXPERIENCE The Azores Vila do Porto n Aeroporto black lava decor ation, while Heritage Site
Vila do Porto g Vila do Porto
its church of Nossa Senhora
@ Rua Dr Luís Bettencourt,
da Purificação, adorned with
classified as a World
de Santa Maria, Vila do
by UNESCO.
the vine­covered half­crater
Porto; 296 886 355
of Baía de São Lourenço,
Santa Maria lies 55 km
north of here, is a delightful
summer beach resort.
(34 miles) south of São Miguel.
Though only 17 km (11 miles)
long, it has great scenic variety
and boasts sandy beaches, 3 For over three centuries, the
town of Angra do Heroísmo
tranquil countryside and the was a stopover point on the
warmest climate in the Azores. Terceira routes between Europe,
The island’s capital, Vila do ! B5 k 3 km (2 miles) NW of America and Africa, and in the
Porto, is on the south coast and Praia da Vitória g Angra do early 17th century its harbour
consists of a long main street Heroísmo, Praia da Vitória glittered with Spanish fleets
that runs down to a small @ Avenida 1° de Maio, Angra returning laden with treasure
harbour. The west of the island do Heroísmo n Rua Direita from the Americas. The city’s
is a dry, flat plateau with a vast 70–74 Angra do Heroísmo, wealthy past is reflected in
airstrip built in World War II. To 295 404 810; Praia da the pretty streets lined with
the north lies the fishing town Vitória Aerogare Civil das balconied houses.
of Anjos, where a statue com­ Lajes, 295 513 140 The most spectacular view
memorates a visit made by of the harbour is from Monte
Christopher Columbus in 1493 Terceira is the most developed Brasil, a volcanic crater on the
on his return from dis covering of the five central islands western side of the bay. Beside
the New World. Next to it, the and is known for the brightly this popular pic nic spot stands
small, white washed chapel of painted chapels (impérios) the fort, Fortaleza de São João
Nossa Senhora dos Anjos is devoted to the cult of the Holy Baptista, built during Spain’s
the oldest in the Azores. Spirit. The large, oval­shaped annexation of Portugal (p44)
The highest point of Santa island’s interior mainly as a treasure store, and still
Maria is the central Pico Alto, consists of gentle green in military use. A second
590 m (1,935 ft) above sea pastureland and laurel forest, rewarding viewpoint is from
level, which on a clear day while the coast has barren the Alto da Memória at the
offers fine views over the areas of black lava. south end of Rua São João de
Deus, from where the twin
towers of the 16th­century Sé
are easily seen. A path leads
down into the Jardim Duque
da Terceira, the city’s restful
public gardens. These once
formed part of the 15th­
century Con vento de São
Francisco, which now houses
the Museu de Angra do
Heroísmo. The museum’s
exhibits reflect the history
of the Azores and the city,
and include armour, maps,
paintings and sculptures.
Pretty windmill standing
on the outskirts of Vila do
Porto, Santa Maria
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