Portugal Churches: Sé Catedral, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, The Azores
Sé Catedral de Angra do Heroísmo
The Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira in the Azores archipelago has its roots in a mid-15th century chapel founded by the explorer Álvaro Martins.
It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage listed old town of Terceira's capital and largest town, Angra do Heroísmo.
History
The early building was expanded in the late 16th century after the founding of the bishopric in 1533. Pope Paul III inaugurated the church in 1534.
It is now the largest church in the Azores archipelago, with three naves, two bell towers and several chapels. These include chapels dedicated to Saint Peter in Chains, Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Stephen, the Holy Sacrament and Our Lady of Lourdes.
The first architect was Luís Gonçalves and altogether it took over 40 years to complete the building. Its overall architectural style can be classified as post-Manueline.
The cathedral was damaged by both an earthquake in 1980 and a major fire just a few years later.
The Museu de Arte Sacra in an annex of the church displays azulejo tiles, furniture, lamps, panels and several religious sculptures. A vase from Ming China is also in display pointing to Angra's central importance on the trade routes to Asia during the Age of Discoveries.
Of particular beauty is the silver-plated altar within the cathedral itself.
Other treasures within the cathedral include its woodwork from timber brought from Brazil and many fine paintings.
Among the tombs within the church is that of Pero Anes do Canto (1480-1556), a former administrator of the forts on Terceira, originally from Guimarães, and from a noble family of English descent.
Details & Hours
Rua da Sé
9700 Angra do Heroísmo
Tel: +351 295 217 850
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm (except during Mass 10 am - 11.30 am).
Getting to + around Terceira
Air
Lajes Airport has connecting flights to Porta Delgada Airport, Porto Airport and Lisbon Airport. There are also flights to Boston, Toronto-Pearson and seasonal connections to Oakland in California and Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
Lajes connects with the other islands in the Azores with flights to Corvo, Flores, Graciosa, Horta, Pico, Ponta Delgada and São Jorge operated by SATA Air Açores.
The airport is a good place to rent a car on the island.
Flights to Porta Delgada
There are direct flights to Porta Delgada from Lisbon and other European cities including London (Heathrow) with TAP.
Air Azores (part of the SATA Group) flies to many European cities including direct flights to London (Gatwick), Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid and many other destinations in Europe. These include Manchester in the UK via Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.
There are also direct flights to Boston (about 5 hours flying time), Oakland and Providence, Rhode Island in the USA. In addition there are also flights to the Azores from Toronto in Canada.
All the islands of the Azores have air connections from Porta Delgada with SATA Air Azores.
Ferries
There are no ferries from continental Portugal to the Azores. You will have to fly. Ferries do connect the various groups of islands in the Azores, however.
Sailings are subject to the weather and the season, being less frequent in winter when the seas can be rough.
The boats are operated by Atlânticoline (atlanticoline.pt).
Car ferries between the eastern group of islands São Miguel and Santa Maria take 3 hours.
Ferries also connect the central group of islands: São Jorge, Graciosa, Pico, Terceira and Faial.
Faial (Horta) to São Jorge (Velas) takes 2 hours; Faial (Horta) to Pico (São Roque) takes 1 hour, 10 minutes; Faial (Horta) to Pico (Madalena) takes 30 minutes; Pico (Madalena) to São Jorge (Velas) takes 1 hour, 20 minutes; Pico (São Roque) to São Jorge (Velas) is 50 minutes.
The western group of islands Flores and Corvo are connected by a small passenger only ferry (40 minutes).
The ferry terminal on Terceira is on the east coast in Praia da Vitoria.
*All journey times are dependent on sea conditions.
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Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
Featured Hotel
Terceira Mar - Portões de São Pedro, nº 1, 9700-097 Angra do Heroísmo, 4 star, palm-ringed garden, salt-water infinity pool and restaurant.
Book this hotel
Angra do Heroísmo has the largest concentration of hotels on Terceira. Some places to choose from include the Hotel Cruzeiro with continental breakfast and free WiFi, and the 2-star Hotel Zenite close to the cathedral.
Elsewhere on the island try the Casa das Artes a luxury villa in the village of Serreta on the west coast or the Hospedaria casa D'Avo guesthouse on the east coast close to the airport.
See a listing of available accommodation in Terceira.
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Royal Garden Hotel Ponta Delgada
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