History of Santa Maria

Located in the extreme southeast of the wonderful Azores Archipelago, Santa Maria Island was the first of this archipelago to be officially discovered by Diogo Silves, around 1427, and its capital is located in Vila do Porto, the oldest of the Azorean villages.

The Azores archipelago is divided into three groups: the Eastern Group consisting of São Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas islets; the Central Group with Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa; and the Western Group, formed by Flores and Corvo islands. The dates of discovery of the Archipelago are unknown, there are historical currents that claim to have been designated on Genoese maps since 1351, however it was from 1431 that the islands began to be populated.

The Island of Santa Maria maintains its ancient traditions combined with a unique architectural heritage and an amazing nature, owner of large proportions of land of sedimentary origin where various marine fossils are found, testimony to the passage of centuries in this territory.

The highest point on the island is Pico Alto, 590 metres above sea level, from where there are panoramas of great beauty that allow you to see the natural intensity of this territory.

A place of fertile land, it has known over the centuries to take advantage of the best that the land can offer, basing its economy on agricultural and livestock activity, but also in other sectors, such as the media, particularly air travel, with great development since the creation of the Airport.

The Island of Santa Maria is characterized by its residential nuclei that are very reminiscent of the continental regions of the Algarve and Alentejo, with white masonry houses and colourful stripes, since the first settlers derived in most of these regions, it was still in the 15th century. Full of natural beauty, Santa Maria is known for the beautiful colours of its landscapes, where the yellow and ochre of the soil and cultures, the green of the fields and the deep blue of the ocean provoke unparalleled panoramas, always having much to know and offer, providing the best conditions for the practice of sports and activities of nature and leisure or simple contemplation.

In the Museum of Santa Maria, in Santo Espirito Santo, you can learn more about the history and ethnography of this beautiful island, which is also famous for its handicraft with articles in red clay, wool, wicker and straw.