What to see?

The Villa of the Velas de San Jorge is one of its most beautiful localities where some of the houses certify the nobility of its past.

The cultural patrimony of the island is integrated in the following constructions of interest.

·Main Church of Sao Jorge: It’s a XVII century building constructed over a temple that was from the XV century ordered by the testamentary of Prince Henry. In its interior composed by three naves, there is an altar-piece of the XVI century; just as a painting of Our Lady with the Child; a side altar with the figure of the Saintly Sacrament carved in basaltic masonry and two pulpits of rock. In the high Chorus is found an organ that dates from 1865 constructed by Tomé Gregorio de Lacerda, uncle of the famous compositor Francisco de Lacerda.

·Pazos del Concelho. An example of civil Azorean architecture from the baroque period (XVII century) that emphasize by its notable frontage of Salomon columns. It also has a rich documental registry from the XVI and XVII century.

·The Ocean Door. Integrated in the old defensive walls of the village, dates from the XVIII century.

·The Urzelina Church. Immersed after the volcanic eruption of the Pico de la Esperanza in 1808, only submerges the tower of the church.

·The Santa Barbara Church: Built in the XVIII century, is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Azorean baroque art and one of the most fascinating churches of the Azores, being also one of the richest temples in the island.

·Mayor Church of Santa Catalina. Its construction is from the XVI century. In its interior emphasizes its mortuary chapel of golden engraves, the images of its patron, one primitive sculpture and other of the XVII century and a very interesting candlestick. Its vestibules are worthy of emphasize, just as the doors adorned with the baroque Azorean liking.

It also can be found in the island interesting museums among which those to emphasize:

·The Art Sacra Museum: It’s located together to the Mayor Church of Sao Jorge and includes collections of sculpture, pottery, furniture, photos… It also contains a historic registry classified by the University of Azores.

·The Sao Jorge Museum. Located in a building that was constructed in 1811, offers different expositions that goes from ethnographic, textile, of music and of history collections to the gastronomic ritual of the Holy Spirit or the cheese history.

From the Nature Heritage of the island, emphasize the following spaces:

·Pico de la Esperanza. Is the highest point of the island with more of 1000 meters of height and where it’s possible to see the rest of the islands of the central group in the summer days: Terceira, Pico, Graciosa and Faial.

·Fajâs. The knocks down of the ocean gave origin in some places to plain zones that extend to the ocean after the fall of its cliffs known as the fajâs. Some of them have turned in fertile gardens and in cultivation camps with micro climates that have made tablelands of great landscape value.

·The little island of la Parte: This Island has recognized characteristics landscapes where it can be found some of the specimens of the autochthonous flora and observe a great concentration of marine birds. For all of this, the little island is also considered Nature Reserve.

·Algar del Montoso: Is a perfect place for practicing the potholing or just a simple visit. However it is recommended to make the visit in company of a guide and the adequate equipment.

·Furna de los Pernos: Near Urzelina, permits in a walk to appreciate a curious volcanic formation.