What to see?

Terceira is one of the islands with mayor history heritage. Not in vain was in this island where most of the galleons saturated that, filled of species and richness, arrived from the East and America transporting from gold to money, black pepper, tissues…., preserving important vestiges heritage of that time.

The General Captains Palace: Old Jesuits School adapted as the residence of the General Captains from 1776. As long as the time passed the Palace received a great value in treasures of furniture, cloths and other art pieces. It has a room with portraits of oil in natural size of the King and Queen of the Braganza to Mrs. María II. The side church was built in the middle of the XVII century, emphasizing engraves, statues and panels of paintings from the XVI century. It also holds the best collection of glazed tiles from the Netherlands of the XVII century.

The San Juan Bautista Castle. Its construction was ordered by Phillip II of Spain in the Monte Brasil base. Is one of the most impressive Portuguese fortresses of the XVI and XVII centuries, its main porch, with a bridge with two arches; the towers; the fosses system; and a rich interior with the San Juan Bautista Church and the Palace of the Governors of Castile, makes of this fortress one of the most magnificent monuments of the country.

The San Sebastián Castle. Ordered to be built in the times of Mr. Sebastían, dates from the XVI century.

Pazos del Concejo. In the centre of Angra, is located this building of the XIX century. Conserves the first blue and white flag of the Monarchy, personally embroidered by the Queen Mary II.

San Francisco Church and Convent. Built in the XVIII century, edified over two anterior convents of the Franciscan order. The side Church dedicated to Our Lady of Guía, presents an interior with three naves that are divided by two arches that evocates the Romanic architecture. The first chapel of Our Lady of Guía was founded at the end of the XV century, was the grave of the sailor Paulo da Gama, dead in a return trip from India in 1499.

Alto de la Memoria. Obelisk that commemorates the presence of the King Peter IV in the city of Angra. Constructed in the site of the first castle of the city (XV-XVII century).

Our Lady of the Concejo Church. Built in the XVI century, it has a baroque style. Counts with a mortuary chapel engraved in gold and a sacristy with furniture from the XVIII century.

Fort Grande and Fort del Negrito. Are the rests of the old fortresses of the island, built in the XVI century for defense from the Spanish invasion.

San Gonzalo Church. Built in the XVII century, gathers en its interior images of great value, golden carves and paintings from the period.

The Misery Church. Building from the XVIII century, includes an interesting sculpture and painting collection.

The Santa Barbara Church. Building from the XV century and rebuilt later.

The Betancourt Palace: Building of baroque architecture, constructed on the end of the XVII century and beginning of the XVIII. In this historic monument is located the Public Library and the Registry of Angra do Heroismo.

Angra do Heroísmo. Being of the best libraries of the country, it possess a great heritage like the municipal library (in deposit), the monographic section and the publications in series, the libraries of Vitorino Nemésio and José Agostinho and also some of the first printed works of Azores. Is also important to mention its immense historic documentation registry.

Solar de la Madre de Dios. Optimum example of the houses of the XVII and XVIII centuries, typical from the highest zones of port cities of the islands an overseas.

San Sebastián Church. Built by the first settlers between the XV and XVI century, of Gothic inspiration and of which emphasize the porch, the arches and the dome of its chapel.

Ramo Grande Architecture. It can be contemplated from long and wide of all the Concejo of Praia da Vitória an immense Old Architectonic Heritage where are conserved the beautiful constructions of the XVIII and XIX centuries.

Main Church. Founded by the first donator Jácome of Bruges and raises to the XV century. Has a gothic porch (XV century), offered by Manuel I and a side manuelino portico (XVI). In its interior valuable pieces of art sacro, porcelain and crockery are conserved.

Natal House of Vitorino Nemésio. A XVIII century building, located in the Sao Paulo Street with changes of the XIX century. It was Director of the Faculty of Science of Lisbon. Of its numerous works, emphasize Mal Tiempo en el Canal, first and only novel of the writer, and Pazo de Milhafre o Canto de Véspera.

Santa Catalina Church. Parish from the villa of Cabo da Praia, was originally built in the XVII century.

Santa Catarina Fort. The last of the forts and walls that defended the Bay of Praia (XVI).

Horno de Telha da Boa Vista. Located in the locality of Santa Cruz it raises from the XVI and XVII century. It is believed that was built during the Spanish occupation. It emphasize by its moulding and masonry chimney.

San Miguel Arcángel Church. Baroque building with the alts in golden carving and glazed tiles.

The Spanish House. A XVII century building remains of the Spanish occupation.

Santa Beatriz Church. It rises at the beginning of the XV century. By the pass of time has suffered consecutives building restoration, due to different earthquakes.

In the island can also be found interesting museums, among those who emphasize:

The Angra do Heroísmo Museum: Installed in the Old Convent of San Francis, shelters the main museum piece of Terceira. Its remarkable collections show a view of the history of the city and the island, of the relations with other islands of the archipelago and with the foreign, through the centuries of international traffic. Definitely, offers an authentic trip to the past in four stages:

The knowing of Azores

Angra, Azores and the World

From the General Captaincy to the liberalism

And from half of the eight hundreds until now.

The Museum of Agra also counts with three permanent expositions: Azorean painting on wood (XVI and XVII); a battery of Scheineder-Canet artillery came to the Azores during the I World War, being a unique example in the world and Memories of a Building.

Museum of Volcanic potholing. Gathers an interesting collection of volcanic material recollected by the Potholing Association “Los Montañeros” during their explorations in the cavers and volcanic tunnels. It also contains a curious photo exposition of volcanic phenomenons.

The Wine Museum. Founded in 1990, in the Francisco Maria Brum Agricultural House, in this space it can be appreciated a group of instruments, photos and documents related to the wine and the grape harvest. The Guild of Verdelho dos Biscoitos wine is installed in this museum established in 1993 with the purpose of preserving and divulgate the qualities of this wine and other wines produced in Azores.

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

Monte Brasil: A protected landscape in Angra does Heroísmo and provides a dazzling view over the city, the bay and the ocean.

Mata da Serreta. Located east of the island, has an exuberant vegetation and a great serenity atmosphere, and also a magnificent panoramic from the Peneireiro balcony.

Algar do Carvao: Considered Nature Geologic Reserve, it’s formed by caverns of near 100 meters of depth where majestic stalactites and stalagmites can be appreciated and also an interior lake that stimulates the curiosity of the potholders.

The Caverns of Aguilas, Natal e Balcoes and the Furnas de Agua and del Cabrito. Are also invitations to discover the depths of the island. It’s recommended to make the visit with a guide and appropriate equipment.

Serra do Cume, with 545 meters of altitude provides the most complete views of the municipality of Praia da Vitória: From one side the bay and the planície de Lajes and in the other side a huge area of the interior of the island with its typical cerrados or separated rocky and hydrangea walls.

The Facho Balcony offers a view over the city of Praia da Vitória, its bay and the port.

The Alagoas local is located in the locality of Agualva. It is a protected landscape and rich in endemic vegetation.

The Pico Alto Climbing constitutes an optimum challenge for those who love the walking. From this peak a spectacular panoramic of the vegetation that constitutes the interior of the island and of Ramo Grande can be appreciated.

The Bagacina and Cabrito Peaks. Formed by lava obtain interesting aspects.

The Guilherme Moniz Boiler. Counts with a perimeter of 15 kilometers and is the largest of the archipelago.

The lake of Negro and the lake of Patas. Both of them deserved to be visited.

Biscoitos. Singular volcanic formation of the north coast, as a result of the old eruptions where the famous vine yards in curraletas are located.

The Garden of the Terceira Duque. Located in the centre of Angra do Heroísmo, possess a variety of species well cared.