| FURNAS |
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets is the spa resort of Furnas, located in the eastern part of São Miguel island.
The place gets its name from the caverns (furnas) that were created by a volcanic eruption in the 17th century.
Already a popular health tourism destination in the 19th century, the resort features 22 different mineral waters and the world’s only naturally warm pool of ferruginous waters.
What to see. Furnas is alive with volcanic activity, particularly at the site of the many caldeiras, where visitors can see the steaming geysers and hot bubbling springs (fumaroles) that provide the therapeutic mud and mineral water used for the spa’s treatments. The largest and nosiest of the hot springs is called Pêro Botelho, a 16th century name for the devil.
On the west side of Lake Furnas lies Parque Terra Nostra, an enchanting park laid out more than 200 years ago in the style of an English garden. Covering 12 hectares (30 acres), it features a thermal swimming pool, an exquisite three-star hotel and a wide variety of exotic plants that flourish in the warm, humid climate.
The hot springs on the lake’s northern shores are where the islanders have for generations come to cook cozido, a rich meat and vegetable stew boiled underground in a huge pot for between five and seven hours.
Nearby. 12 km southeast of Furnas, the quaint little fishing village of Povoação was the first settlement on São Miguel and is accessible by a mountain road that climbs up in hairpin bends to the mountains before running through forests, past gorges and along valleys. Its restored 15th century chapel of Santa Bárbara is thought to have been the island’s first place of worship.
10 km further east, the Miradouro da Madrugada is a spectacular cliff-top vantage point affording unparalleled views of the morning sunrise. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
