SUHAS D.
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Terceira is Portuguese for ‘third’ – as in ‘the third largest island’ and ‘the third island to be populated’ during the Portuguese Age of Discovery. The island’s home to the Azores’ oldest city: UNESCO protected Angra do Heroismo whose cobbled streets, historic architecture and friendly population help give the city a wonderfully relaxing, quiet charm. Terceira is a mandatory pitstop for whoever goes to the Atlantic in search of surprising landscapes. What makes Terceira so special is the magnificent contrast between the natural beauty of this volcanic island and the admirable work of man in the historic centre of Angra do Heroísmo, its capital, founded in 1534, and the first place in the Azores to be made a city and to be classified World Heritage by UNESCO. Indeed, the title "Most Noble, Loyal and Ever Constant" attributed to the city emphasises its importance throughout the history of Portugal. The bay of Angra gained great importance not only as an internal trading post for regional products produced on the other islands, but also for its even greater prominence as an intercontinental staging post for ships sailing between Europe, the Americas and India. We must be made to the forts of São Sebastião and São João Baptista, unique examples of military architecture dating back more than 400 years, the 16th century Cathedral, considered the largest church in the archipelago, the Palace of the Captains-General, the Town Hall, the Church of São Gonçalo, the Bettencourt Palace, the Angra Museum, located in the former S. Francisco monastery, and the Duke of Terceira Garden, with many well-tended species, among other monuments. A tour guide took me to the caves of this beautiful island, but it is very touristic, so anyone with a car can get to it. Please note opening hours from 14.00 till 16.30 I think, this is an important fact. Because a lot of stairs to one who dont like to climb up and down stairs, but beutiful and certainly worht the effort. Anyone can see here how the volcanic arruption influenced the shape of caves and the SILICA resedue on the walls, it is great to visit. There are two private caves, you can reach via Jeep and they are very intresting as well. The green moss near the light was beautiful. So, Algar do Carvao is a must see! Absolutely stunning to walk into a volcano. It is a little bit of a walk down the stairs so take your time. Also wear a hat or a raincoat, there is a lot of dripping.
