Culture of Pico Island. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Ilha do Pico is sometimes called simply Pico. Portuguese began to settle the island in the 15th century, along with the rest of the Azores archipelago. When more settlers arrived to the island, local lands became more attractive for pirates. For protection from attacks of sea robbers, Santa Catarina Fort was built near the city of Lajes Do Pico at the end of the 15th century. For centuries, the fortification saved people. Over time, some of the walls were dilapidated and crumbled. But there was a reconstruction in 2006, and now you can see the Fort almost in its original form. Today it is the only surviving fortress on the island.

There was built Church of the Immaculate Conception on the territory of the Fort in the 17th century. Despite the fact that the building was badly damaged by fire in 1830, the locals decided to restore the Church. Today, a beautiful religious building attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. Lajes Do Pico is home to one of Europe's few whaling museums. Whale hunting was one of the main occupations of the islanders from the 18th century to the end of the 20th century. Only three decades ago, whaling was finally prohibited. The Museum presents whaling vessels, tools for catching whales, products from bone and teeth of sperm whales. In addition, you can see the devices for the production of flour and fat on the site of the old whaling house.

Quite interesting is the exposition of Pico Regional Museum, devoted mainly to the history of the colonization of the island and the life of the locals. In the area of Madalena, you can see the vineyards, founded in the 15th century when the island was known throughout the world as a leader in the production of wine. In the 19th century, the area of vineyards decreased, due to disease but it still makes first-class wine, which was once served at the festival of monarchs from around the world. Today, there are guided tours for everyone with a detailed story which tells how people prepared wine in the old days. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

You can visit an abandoned whaling factory in the area of San Roque do Pico, where were 5 enterprises of this kind. In the same municipality, you can see the monastery of San Roque, the chapel of Bom Jesus of the 16th century, the Church of San Roque, built in 1714, the monastery of San Vicente and the monastery, built in the Baroque style of San Pedro de Alcantara of the 18th century. Many churches, houses and administrative buildings have been preserved in the local settlements, whose age has already exceeded two hundred years.

In San Mateusz you can see the magnificent Church of St. Matthew. The area is named in his honour. The temple was built in 1890 and represents a combination of Baroque and Gothic architecture. You can see the religious building on Rua da Boa Vista street. There is also a very beautiful parish Church of Bom Jesus-Milagroso. On August 6, people from all over the archipelago come here to the feast of the Merciful Jesus. Be sure to see the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which construction was finished in 1753.

There is quite an interesting story for the name of the municipality of Calheta de Nesquim. Three injured sailors from the wrecked vessel are considered to be the pioneers of this place. They were led to the Bay by a dog named Nesquim, which was also on the wreck. The local parish church was built in 1851 on the site of the destroyed chapel of the 15th century. You should definitely see the Church of San Sebastio and 16th-century windmills of Maricao of the 17-18 century building. They are still in excellent condition. Here are a few of the abandoned whaling factories and Imperio Calheta de Nesquim - the religious building of the 20th century, which is the main part of the commemorations of the Holy Spirit, popular on the Azores.