Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island

Discover Vila do Porto, the capital city of the Santa María Island, Azores, Portugal

Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island
© Càmara Municipal Vila do Porto

Founded by Gonçalo Velho Cabral in 1432, Vila do Porto was the first existing hamlet in the Azores Archipelago. Despite being the capital of the Santa María Island, its linear design makes it look like a road village.

In Vila do Porto everything is a little bit more expensive than in the São Miguel Island, so it is recommended to plan well the visit to the island before departing.

Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Vila do Porto, Ilha de Santa María

Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção
© Câmara Municipal Vila do Porto

The old city begins in the long Dr. Manuel Monteiro Velho Arruda, with the Ermita de Santo Antão Shrine, and it is formed by a large lively area, with numerous taxis, shops and beautiful pavements decorated with fishes and molluscs motifs.

In the centre of the old city is located the Largo de Nossa Senhora de Conceição Square, with its bandstand and the old São Francisco Convent, now used as city council. In front of it, stands the Recolhemento de Santo António Library, former female convent that, as the legend goes, was connected to the previous one by a tunnel.

Another interesting building is the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção Mother Church, remodeled in 2002, around which different dwellings have been restored. These houses have a common characteristic: they usually have the door and window frames, (some of them in Manueline style) in red stone.

Beside it is located the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia Church, which dates from the XVIII century, from where you go down to the modest Forte de São Bras Fort, and the Capela da Conceição da Rocha Chapel (from the XVI century).

From the fortress you go down to the port, rather sober and which does not awake many interest, unless to have a different perspective of the old town, or to take a ship. From the piers you can see the first wind park of Portugal; which raises over Ponta do Marvão Peak, and almost covers the electric use of the whole island.

On the suburbs of the village, further the forestal park (overlook), in Flor de Rosa’s part, is recommendable to get closer to one of the two attractive windmills still used.

From the Miradouro do Porto Overlook, located on the Largo Sousa e Silva, you can admire some magnificent views over the sea, the city, the fishing port and the Vila do Porto Navy.

A good time to visit the city is during the festivities of Assunção, patron saint of the island, which is celebrated around the 15th August with samples of folklore, customary music, and a cuisine and craftwork fair.

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Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island

Discover Vila do Porto, the capital city of the Santa María Island, Azores, Portugal

Santa Maria Island

What to see:

Azores:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

In collaboration with: