The people of the Azores have remained true to their traditions and customs, which have been passed down for centuries. Whenever there are celebrations, the whole village, and sometimes even the entire island, is out and about.
Architecture: The nine islands have a lot to offer in terms of art history. However, only a few stones remain from the time of the first settlement. However, there are still examples of sacred and secular art to be seen, especially from the 16th to 18th centuries. Especially during the Baroque period, local building materials were used for the sake of simplicity, and their style and color characterize the buildings.
The island’s capital is particularly worth seeing Terceira, Angra do HeroismoIt was built in the 16th century. Although most of the buildings were destroyed by the 1980 earthquake, the city center has since been rebuilt, and so it's no surprise that colorful Renaissance-style buildings with black-rimmed window frames and old stone balconies stand on both sides of the narrow streets. The geometric layout of the old town is also typical.
It is considered a prime example of historic urban planning. UNESCO has rightly declared the old town of Angra a World Heritage Site. Horta There are churches and cathedrals worth seeing.
Art and ethnographic museums provide the necessary background information. They are located on the larger islands and depict the lives of the people of the Azores throughout the centuries.
Handicrafts:
Much of the culture is also reflected in traditional handicrafts. Each island has developed its own unique forms:
- Flowers made of fish scales or fabric
- Carpets woven from corn leaves
- Ceramic products, hand-painted from Lagoa or Vila Franca do Campo
- Basket weaving
- Scrimshaw, scratched and painted whale teeth
- Works of art made from fig or hydrangea pulp
- Flowers made of fish scales or fabric
- Miniature whaling boats
- Works of art made from fig or hydrangea pulp
- Sound works of art
- fine ceramic art
- Hand embroidery
- hand-woven blankets, carpets and bedspreads
Terceira:
- Basket weaving
- Hand embroidery on white or red linen
Watermills:
Some islands still have well-preserved watermills, e.g. on the north coast of Sao Miguel or on FloresThe waterwheel drives two millstones, one above the other. The grain falls from a hopper (chapeu) onto the stones. In the few remaining working mills, mainly corn is ground today. Beneath the hopper (moega), a wooden block (tramela) ensures a consistent flow of grain by striking it regularly. The flour is collected in a wooden container (tremonhado) beneath the millstones.
Windmills:
Like watermills, windmills (moinhos de vento) can be found on almost all the islands. Only on Flores You'll search for them in vain. The first windmill was probably built in 1818 by a priest. Terceira erected. However, the form and function of the windmills vary greatly from island to island. On Faial For example, the entire mill body is rotated to turn the sails into the wind. Graciosa Only the tip is turned.
Folklore:
Every larger community has a music group (Filarmonica) that performs at every event, no matter how small. There's usually a folk dance group and a brass band.
