São Miguel, The Azores (Açores), Portugal (March 2001)
Ponta Delgada is the capital of the Azores and its most populous city. It hugs São Miguel’s southwestern coast (map).
These old “City Gates” or Portas da Cidade probably personifies Ponta Delgada more than any other image. They dated back to the 18th Century. Back then the gates literally served as an entrance into town for those arriving at the harbor. Today, of course, the city has grown well beyond the gates. Nonetheless they remain as a symbolic emblem and a historical marker. I took this photograph from “inside” the city looking out towards the harbor.
Igreja Matriz São Sebastiáo
The Church of São Sebastiáo serves as the Igreja Matriz (mother church or main church) for Ponta Delgada. Visitors can find it near the City Gates.
The church arose during the 16th Century. Then a remodeling and expansion followed in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Thus, it’s an interesting mixture of Portuguese Gothic, Manueline and Baroque styles.
On the Waterfront
The popular harbor includes a marina for small watercraft in a protected man-made cove on its eastern flank. From here it’s a short sail to the mouth of the harbor. Then it’s out to the Atlantic Ocean. I took this photograph from the area of the public pool, looking through the marina and back onto Ponta Delgada.
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