Tourism

Miradouro Arcos Ribeira da Cruz

Come visit the imposing Miradouro Arcos Ribeira da Cruz, located on the beautiful Flores Island, in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, for a moment of contemplation of nature and surprising panoramic views. At its top, the sculpted arches of waters merging into the ocean frame a horizon worth remembering. To your right, the sea unfolds, deepening into infinity, and to your left, a golden sandy beach. The possibility of arriving by car makes your visit easier. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most stunning places on the island. This is the perfect experience to invigorate mind and body and green your soul.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento

The Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, also known as the Church of the Blessed Souls of Caveira, combines tradition, religious identity, and genuine Azorean architecture. Its construction at the end of the 19th century, with the help of emigrants, marks a symbol of belonging and faith in the community. The patron saint’s festival is one of the most emotional moments in the local calendar.

Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora do Pilar

On the tower there is a marble plaque with the following inscription: "CHURCH OF NOSSA SENHORA DO PILAR / GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMEMORATION / 1953 - 2003". Around 1715 - according to Father António Cordeiro, about thirty neighbors requested permission from the Bishop of Angra, D. Frei Clemente Vieira, for the disannexation, asking for a parish priest who would continuously assist them; for this, they offered to erect at their own expense a church dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Pilar; the donatary captain, D. Martinho Mascarenhas, 6th Count of Santa Cruz, conveyed his agreement to the bishop, offering to build and adorn the chancel of the new temple and to donate the image of Nossa Senhora do Pilar; 1690 - the dean of the See, meanwhile vacant due to the bishop’s death, decided to issue the necessary charter; July 9, 1693 - elevation of the locality of Cedros to a parish, its first parish priest being Father Domingos Furtado de Mendonça, with an annual income of 24$000, two parts in wheat and one in money, paid at the expense of the Commendation of the Islands of Flores and Corvo, then belonging to the Count of Santa Cruz; 1693 - conclusion of the church, with the donatary captain count contributing to the chancel; 1719 - enlargement of the church; two plaques were found during the demolition of the church, one bearing the coat of arms of D. Martinho Mascarenhas and the other a cross topped with the dates 1693 and 1719; 1822 - rebuilding of the church; 1868 - a report by the civil governor of the Horta district, António José Vieira Santa Rita, considered it in poor condition, with vestments and ornaments very deteriorated, and without a cemetery, so burials were made in the churchyard; September 1945 - demolition of the old church, due to lack of solidity, with religious service transferred to the neighboring Casa do Espírito Santo; January 22, 1950 - laying of the first stone for the construction of the church at the initiative of the vicar, Father José Maria Alvares; July 18, 1953 - inauguration of the church, with the blessing presided over by Father João de Fraga Vieira, vicar of Lomba; after mass, the Blessed Sacrament was transferred from the Casa do Divino Espírito Santo to the new temple

Igreja Nossa Senhora de Lurdes

The Church of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes stands over a small farming community on Flores Island, in the Azores, Portugal. The church was built on top of a hill in 1909, in this agricultural community north of Santa Cruz das Flores. Both the exterior, flanked by two towers, and the interior are very simple, typical of churches in smaller Azorean communities.

Farol da Ponta do Albernaz

The Farol da Ponta do Albernaz was built at the northwestern tip of Flores Island, atop a high cliff and positioned to face the direction from which most maritime traffic in its waters originated. Initially, it was designed as part of the General Lighting and Buoyage Plan for the neighboring Ponta Delgada, but in 1902 this plan was rejected, and the adaptation of the old lighthouse according to new technologies was then proposed. The new lighthouse was then determined to be installed at Ponta do Albarnaz, about 3 kilometers from the village. The position was strategic, on a high cliff on the west coast, thus allowing the signal to be sighted from the coast of Corvo Island and along the entire northwestern coast of Flores Island. The decision to build the lighthouse was not peaceful, and in 1922, an amicable agreement was reached for the lighthouse’s installation at Ponta do Albernaz. Construction of the lighthouse and its access roads then began, as there was no existing access to the parish of Ponta Delgada or to Ponta do Albernaz. The lighthouse began its operations in January 1925. In 2005, it was still the only lighthouse in Portugal not connected to the electricity grid.