São Miguel, Azores: A Guide to Historic Churches, Fortresses, and Settlements
Between 1427 and 1431, Portuguese explorers arrived at São Miguel, with Gonçalo Velho Cabral initiating settlement in 1444. The island's early economy was based on the export of wheat and pastel. Vila Franca do Campo served as the initial capital until an earthquake on October 22, 1522, led to Ponta Delgada taking over that role. By the late 16th century, the island faced privateer attacks on its cargo, and in 1582, Spanish forces occupied it. The 18th century brought prosperity through orange exports, which financed church decorations and stonework for manor houses. Povoação, the first settlement in the Azores, saw the 15th-century Ermida de Santa Bárbara rebuilt in 1798. Ponta Delgada is home to the Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião (1531–1547) and the Forte de São Brás, recognized as a Property of Public Interest since 1953.
Key facts
- Portuguese discovery of São Miguel occurred between 1427 and 1431, with first settlers arriving in 1444 under Gonçalo Velho Cabral.
- The October 22, 1522 earthquake destroyed Vila Franca do Campo, shifting capital status to Ponta Delgada, which became a city in 1546.
- Povoação, the first Azorean settlement, today has a little over 1500 inhabitants.
- The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário in Povoação was built in 1553 and is a Property of Public Interest.
- Prince Henry the Navigator ordered construction of Igreja de São Miguel Arcanjo in 1460; the church was rebuilt after 1522 and retains 1624 Corsair artillery damage on its bell tower.
- Forte de São Brás has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1953 and now houses the Azores Military Zone Command and Azores Military Museum.
- The Portas da Cidade, built in 1783, were relocated in 1952 to Gonçalo Velho Cabral Square.
- Ponta Delgada has hosted the island's university since 1975.
Entities
Artists
- Gonçalo Velho Cabral
- Gonçalo Vaz Botelho
- Philip II of Spain
- José do Canto
- Bento de Góis
- Prince Henry the Navigator
- Alberto Pacheco
- King João III
- Soma Biswas
- John Cronin
- Markus Kolletzky
- Reis Quarteu
- Concierge.2C
- BokeSorgin
- Marta L. Propst
- José Luís Ávila Silveira
- Pedro Noronha e Costa
- G. Metsemakers
- Diego Delso
- Hans Pohl
Institutions
- Portuguese Government
- Azores Military Zone Command
- Azores Military Museum
- Museu do Trigo
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário
- Ermida de Santa Bárbara
- Capela da Nossa Senhora das Vitórias
- Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz
- Igreja de São Miguel Arcanjo
- Castelo Branco
- Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
- Igreja do Colégio dos Jesuítas
- Forte de São Brás
- Portas da Cidade
- TheCollector
- Flickr
- Wikimedia Commons
Locations
- São Miguel
- Azores
- Portugal
- Povoação
- Vila Franca do Campo
- Ponta Delgada
- Lagoa do Fogo
- Lagoa das Furnas
- Alentejo
- Algarve
- Braga
- Bom Jesus de Braga
- Spain
- England
- France
- Brazil
- India
- Africa
- Avenida Infante Dom Henrique
- Gonçalo Velho Cabral Square