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The mountain
Majestic volcano dominating the island, with an altitude of 7715 feet (2351 m). It is crowned by Pico Alto, a round crater with a perimeter of about 2300 feet (700 m) and a depth that reaches 100 feet (30 m). At the extremity of the crater lies the volcanic cone Piquinho or Pico Pequeno, with a height of about 230 feet (70 m) and with fumaroles at its base, and which constitutes the summit of the mountain. It is covered with thick forests up to about 4925 feet (1500 m), but above this altitude the vegetation is reduced to shrubbery ending at 6562 feet (2000 m). After that there is only the cone of bare, naked lava, which is covered by snow in the winter. Provides magnificent views, including glimpses of the islands of Faial, Sao Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira. Sunrise viewed from the top of the peak is a spectacular and unforgettable sight.
The lakes
The lakes of Capitao, Caiado, Rosada, Pao, Peixinho, Ilheu, Negra and Landroal are situated in the central plateau area which stretches to the eastern tip of the island. Of modest size, they are surrounded by the original vegetation of the island cedars, laurels and the tree called vinhatico.
The "mysteries"
Lava beds originating in eruptions that took place after the settlement of the island, they have locally been given the name of misterios or "mysteries" since the people knew no explanation for the volcanic phenomena and mainly for the effects of the eruptions which destroyed cultivated lands, making them inproductive. Covered by more or less dense woods, they are spread all over the island, the dark lava marking the surrounding landscape. The misterios of Prainha (1572), Santa Luzia/Bandeiras and Sao Joao (1718) and Soldao (1720) are spectacular.
The grottoes and caverns
The cooling of the lava and the escape of volcanic gases caused the appearance of cavities that take the form of grottoes covered with volcanic stalactites and stalagmites or long corridors stretching into the depths of the earth. Deserving a visit, accompanied by a guide and suitable equipment, are the caverns (furnas) called Frei Matias (connected with the legend of a hermit), Silveira (with long galleries) and Montanheiros.
Arcos do Cachorro
Impressive group of lavas next to the sea, perforated by many grottoes and tunnels. Volcanic arches over the sea. Rocks with curious shapes, one of them resembling the muzzle of a dog which possibly gave the place its name (Arcos do Cachorro means Arches of the Puppy).
Quinta das Rosas
Park with a great variety of species of trees, including many exotic ones. Belvedere.
Matos Souto
Forested park, with some rare species of trees and an appreciable garden. A place to spend your leisure time. Magnificent earthen pots with species that are being carefully grown and tested.
Volcanic curiosities
Pico mountain, the lava beds of the mistérios and the caverns and grottoes that pierce the solidified magma are not the only visible results of volcanic activity in the island. If you walk over the plateau area, with an average altitude of 800 metres, you will find dozens of small volcanic cones and craters covered by basaltic slag, dominated by Pico do Topo with a height of 3300 feet (1007 m). On the cone of Pico mountain, at an altitude of about 4925 feet (1500 m), there is a series of secondary craters called Furnas where people usually spend the night when they climb the height. In the channel separating the islands of Pico and Faial there is an enormous underwater crater with a diameter of about 4 km.
The vineyards and "currais"
The ground was hard, dark lava. But the hand of man transformed it, at the cost of hard work, into vineyards producing wine with a delicate flavour called verdelho. In witness to this are the maze of walls made of stone on top of stone - the currais and canadas - where one or more shoots of vine are made to grow. The vineyards stretch all over the western coast of Pico, particularly at Madatena, Bandeiras, Santa Luzia, Criação Velha and Candelaria, and also to the south up to Manhenha in the parish of Piedade.
Black and colour.
The walls are dark and made of lava stones placed one on top of the other. The roof is now made of tiles that come by boat from other islands although it was initially thatched. Contrasting with the black walls are the intensely vivid colours of the doors and windows and the rectangle of lime that marks the openings. That is what the picturesque houses of Pico are like: examples of Man's adaptation to the environment in which he lives.
The "maroicos"
The volcanic stone prevented the fields from being cultivated. So through year after year of toil the inhabitants of Pico erected the truncated pyramids made of thousands of stones - the maroiços which still constitute dark spots in the scenery, mainly in the western area of the island.
Copyright Pierre LaVelly Sousa Lima
