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Flores
The island of Flores (“flowers”) is the most western point
of the Azores and of Europe (Fajã Grande is the westernmost
village in all of Europe). Flores is about 55 sq miles (143Km2)
and has Approximately 4000 inhabitants. This
lovely island is divided into two municipalities (concelho), Santa
Cruz das Flores in the north, with 1820 inhabitants, and Lajes
das Flores in the south.
The Flores Island is said to be one of the most beautiful
of the Azores Islands due to its geographical form, its deep valleys
and high peeks. In summer time, the island is covered by thousands
of hydrangeas, which have large blue or pink flowers.
Morro Alto is the highest peak of the island, reaching
an altitude of 914 meters. There are several dead volcanoes; Caldeira
Funda das Lajes last erupted in 1200 BC, and Caldeira Comprida
in 950 BC. Some of these volcanoes have calderas (caldeiras in
Portuguese) in which water has collected to form lakes. There
are seven of these lakes on the island. The caldera Lagoa
Funda is considered the most beautiful. The Águas Quentes are
small hot springs of boiling sulphurous water.
In the Forest park of Fazenda de Santa Cruz, the
conditions allow the development of a great amount and variety of
exotic species of the five continents. In the municipality of Lajes
das Flores, by the sea, Fajãzinha is located, a typical Azorean
village with ruins of water mills. There are also the waterfalls of
Ribeira Grande, that drop from a height of three hundred meters, and
consists of at least 20 waterfalls (!), some of which drop into the
Atlantic Ocean.
Flores Highlights
Villages and Culture
-
Santa Cruz, capital of Flores: the city hall,
the museum, Igreja de Sao Boaventura, Turist Office, Igreja
Matriz da Nossa Senhora da Conceicao.
- Fajãzinha: Igreja Nossa Senhora dos
Remedios, Imperio do Divino Espírito Santo do Rossio, Moinhos
do Cabeco do Outeiro
- Fazendas das Lajes:
Paroquial do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, Casa do Divino
Espirito Santo
Nature
- Miradouro Monte das Cruzes: viewpoint
- Miradouro Ribeira
Cruz: viewpoint
- Miradouro
da Fajazinha: viewpoint
- Miradouro da Caldeira:
viewpoint
- Rocha dos Bordoes: geological phenomenon of enormous
basalt columns
- Gruta
dos Incharéus -
enormous cave by the seashore
- Rock formations on the Frades
hill
- The central
mountain range: formed by Morro Alto which
has the highest altitude on the island (915 meters), together
with Pico da Burrinha, Pico dos Sete Pes and
other peaks with lower altitudes. They provide magnificent
views over the lakes, valleys, streams and the irregular outline
of the coast
- The hill Madeira Seca offers a spectacular
view over the Lajes valley.
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