PORTUGAL PHOTOS - ILHA TERCEIRA

your source for photos of portugal
your source for photos of portugal

portugal info
PORTUGAL info


Portugal > Travel > Azores > Ilha Terceira
Island Related Links

Home Page
Terceira Forum
---
Golf Courses
Guest & Manor Houses
Holiday Apartments
Holiday Resorts
Hotels
Hotels & Spa
Inns
Restaurants
Wine

Azores Islands

Corvo
Faial
Flores
Graciosa
Pico
Santa Maria
São Jorge
São Miguel

Accommodation

General Index
Guest & Manor Houses
Holiday Apartments
Holiday Rentals
Holiday Resorts
Hotels
Hotels & Spa
Inns
Luxury Hotels
Pousadas

Home Link

Portugal - Home

Azores Accommodation
Terceira Guest & Manor Houses
Terceira Holiday Apartments
Terceira Hotels
Terceira Hotels & Spa
Terceira Inns
Terceira Pousada

Azores Golf Courses
Terceira Golf Course

Island of Terceira Guest Book
Terceira Forum

Azores Wines
Azores Wines

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

Island of Terceira Events

--

Festa Sanjoaninas 24th June to 4th July
Festas do Espiríto Santo July/August
Festas de Espírito Santo Pentecost Sunday to 15th September

Useful Terceira Telephone Numbers

--

Fire Brigade 295 204 110
Police 295 212 022
Hospital 295 212 121
Airport 295 540 030
Taxis 296 214 015
Tourist Office 295 217 215
Azores Tourist Help 800 296 296

Azores Islands
Corvo · Faial · Flores · Graciosa · Pico · Santa Maria · São Jorge · São Miguel






PORTUGAL INFO WHO? WHAT? WHERE? & WHEN? IN PORTUGAL