Ribeira Grande: Travel and tourism

Situated in the middle of the northern coast of the São Miguel island, Ribeira Grande attracted the first settlers (15th century) by the great stream (ribeira) which ran through a plain of rare beauty. Today, the landscape is still impressive, namely due to the caldeiras, fumaroles envolved by groves of trees, the picturesque villages or the sand strips bathed by tranquil waters. Vale das Lombadas, where the mineral water bearing the same name is born, has been considered a Natural Reserve.

The town of Ribeira Grande, with its streets lined with typical houses, is proud of its elegant Town Hall, of the fine Manueline window on the house next to it, and of the impressive façade of the Holy Spirit Church. Solar de São Vicente, a fine manor built in the 17th century, was restored and now lodges the small Casa da Cultura (cultural centre), which exihibits decorated tiles from the 16th to the 20th centuries and crafts illustrating the rural lifestyle of the islanders.

Countless chapels demonstrate the religious devotion, namely towards the mother of Christ (there are chapels dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Salvation, Our Lady of Patience, Our Lady of Quietness, among many others).

The gastronomy includes typical dishes of the Azores, with excellent shellfish and fresh fish, and also two specialities of Ribeira Grande: the canários and the sweet confeitos.