Ponta Delgada - Azores

 Our last stop on this part of our trip, before beginning to cross the Atlantic, was Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.

The Azores are a group of volcanic Islands that are approximately 1,600 km off the coast of  Portugal. Ponta Delgada,  located on the island of São Miguel, is the largest city of the Islands and the capital of the Azores.

With a history that dates back to the 15th century, Ponta Delgada is a charming town with a lot of old world character. It is known for its picturesque cobblestoned streets, whitewashed buildings with black volcanic stone accents, and beautiful coastal views.

It was a rainy day while we were in port, and as it was a Sunday, most things were closed so we spent the day walking around the town.

Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral

Our first stop was at Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral - the town square which serves as a public gathering space. It was here that we saw the Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral (the city gate).  The Portas da Cidade has three white-washed arches with the black volcanic stone accents you find in a lot of the buildings.  Originally built in 1783 at the old port, it was moved to it's current location in 1952.

Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião

Just off the square stands the Church of San Sebastian, one of the Island's most important churches.  Built in 1546 it features a mix of Manueline and Moorish influences, with a striking white and black exterior. Inside, the church boast beautiful wooden alters, intricate carvings, and the beautiful decorative ceramic tiles that Portugal is known for. The church is a key historical landmark in the city.

Forte de São Brás

Forte de São Brás is a historic fort that dates back to the 16th century. It was built to defend the city from pirate attacks and is a significant part of the region’s military heritage. Today, it is a military museum.  We took some time to walk around the inside, checking out the exhibits and taking in the views.

From the fort, we strolled along the beautiful tiled streets, admiring the stunning architecture from the outside since everything was closed. The streets were remarkably quiet, giving us the feeling that we had the entire town to ourselves. It was a peaceful and enjoyable experience, until the rain drove us back to the ship.

This was our last port of call on this sailing.  The following day we began crossing the Atlantic Ocean.