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Lagoa
Center of the Sao Miguel pottery industry, which started in the l9th century. Pieces of great beauty. Fishing port.
Places to visit: Church of Santo Antonio, belonged to the annexed Franciscan monastery. Example of 18th century Baroque Azorean architecture; Chapel ot Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, a 15th century construction of Hispano-Arab glazed tiles.
Agua de Pau
Borough seat from 1515 to 1853. Typical narrow streets recalling Portuguese town of bygone times. Interesting urban centre of Alto do Monte Santo. 18th c houses. Parish church (16th century). Facade with the Cross of Christ.
Caloura
Formerly Vale de Cabacos. Characteristic village, set among vineyards protected by stone walls. Picturesque fishing port on a narrow creek. Swimming-pool at the end of the breakwater.
Place to visit: Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao. Integrated in the monastery of Recollects (Calouras). Founded in the 17th century interesting example of Baroque architecture. Facade and interior covered with glazed tiles Chancel, retable with funny angels with thick moustaches. Glazed tile portraits of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Philip Nery. Statues attributed to a French sculptor who, with his son, lived among the Recollects of Franciscan monks. Altars with carved woodwork. Tombstones with poetical inscriptions. Interesting gratings carved out of the store of the lateral facade. Church yard with a bucolic atmosphere and leafy trees Ruins of former fortifications.
Fort Nossa Senhora da Conceicao. 17th century fortress built to defend the harbour.
Vila Franca do Campo
The first capital of the Island. Partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. Picturesque fishing town. Pottery making centre with a centuries-long tradition.
Places to visit: Church of Sao Miguel; Church of Sao Pedro; Church of Santo Andre and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz.
Povoacao
Place where the first inhabitants of the island settled. Picturesque fishing port. Example of Azorean town planning of the 19th and 20th century. Crossed by a stream. Surrounded by seven hills that afford excellent views.
Places to visit: Chapel of Santa Barbara. Built in the 15th century, restored in the 19th century is considered the first place of worship to have been built in Sao Miguel.
Nordeste
Situated in the far east of the island, in an area with up and downs but of great beauty. Interesting and picturesque town. The Town Hall is an example of l9th century urban architecture.
Place to visit: Church of Sao Jorge.
Achadinha
Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario. Has its origin in a 16th century construction. Rebuilt in the l9th century. Retable of the high and side altars. Gilded, carved woodwork.
