Explore the best places
Heritage in Portugal
Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos
- heritage
Capelo
9900-304, Horta
The Capelinhos lighthouse was completed in 1903, after works that took over nine years. Its primary function was maintained until 1957, when it was the eruption of the volcano. From that date was in ruins. Consists of a rectangular body of two floors (one of which buried) and a central octagonal tower. Their retraining and integration into the interpretation centre of Capelinhos volcano allows, nowadays, the ascent to its central tower from where you have a unique view on the rugged volcanic landscape.
Muralhas do Forte de Vila Franca do Campo
- heritage
Rua do Baixio
9680-138, Vila Franca do Campo
The walls of the old Tagarete pier fort, which served as protection against corsair attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries, still remain present today, separating the fishing port from the marina of Vila Franca do Campo.
Biblioteca Municipal de Vila Franca do Campo
- heritage
Rua Teófilo Braga, 105
9680-115, Vila Franca do Campo
Place dedicated to reading, located in the center of Vila Franca do Campo.
Museu Municipal de Vila Franca do Campo
- heritage
Rua Visconde do Botelho
9680-178, Vila Franca do Campo
The result of a protocol signed between the City Council and the University of the Azores, this museum is organized with a central space, the Municipal Museum, and three museum centers integrated into the community: the Olaria museum center, the Forno de Loiça and the Fábrica da Luz museum center. Here you can see pottery objects, ceramics, learn about traditional arts and crafts and appreciate a collection of traditional vessels from the Azores. It also works as a research center in the areas of Archaeology, Ethnography and History.
Casa do Capitão-Mor
- heritage
Rua Capitão-Mor, 23
6110-206, Vila de Rei
Civil construction from the 17th century, with ten balcony windows, interrupted by the coat of arms of the Mattos e Silva family and by a niche where the image of Queen Saint Isabel appears, alluding to the passage of Dom Dinis' wife through this town who spent the night in a building where this house was later built. During the French invasions, it was the headquarters of the Portuguese-English troops, and the Duke of Wellington and General Beresford stayed here.
Museu da Geodesia de Vila de Rei
- heritage
Vila de Rei
6110-123, Vila de Rei
Museum located in the Geodesic Center of Portugal, at the top of the Melriça mountain range, resulting from a partnership with the Portuguese Geographic Institute. Here you will find objects and documents on display about Picoto da Melriça and the evolution of cartography from the 19th century onwards. It also has a small store with objects related to the municipality and geodesy, a multimedia auditorium and a bar.
Museu das Aldeias
- heritage
Largo da Capela
6110-150, Vila de Rei
Private museum where you can visit an ethnography exhibition, with various objects from rural life. It is located in Casa Grande, which once served as the residence of the Captains of Relva.
Museu Municipal de Vila de Rei
- heritage
Rua Direita
6110-212, Vila de Rei
Museum located in the old Casa do Patronato, with a permanent exhibition that reconstructs some aspects of an agricultural house between the 19th and 20th centuries. It also has a space for temporary exhibitions.
Castro de São Miguel
- heritage
EN348
6110-131, Vila de Rei
Construction of an irregular square plan with quadrangular and rectangular houses, surrounded by walls. It was built in the Neolithic period, but also presents traces of occupation from the Iron Age and from Celts, Romans and Visigoths.
Melriça - Centro Geodésico de Portugal
- heritage
Vila de Rei
6110, Vila de Rei
This location, at around 600 meters above sea level, allows a 360º view over a vast area, including Serra da Lousã and Serra da Estrela. This center, located approximately 2.7 kilometers from Vila de Rei, marks the center of the country. Here you can also find a small museum with an auditorium, bar and souvenir shop.