Ideally situated on the southern shoreline of São Miguel,
Vila Franco do Campo is a natural stopover for people en route
between Ponta Delgada and the Furnas spa resort in the east.
It was the first capital of island, until it was destroyed by
a great earthquake in 1522. Today, with its small port and brightly-painted
fishing boats, nothing in this sleepy village recalls its violent
past.
What to see. Besides having the oldest bell on the island, the
15th-century church of São Miguel boasts a beautiful
Gothic portal and an interior rich in Gothic arches carved with
plant motifs. Built in the 18th century, church of São
Pedro features an elaborate portal and an impressive statue
of Saint Peter carved out of Ançã stone. Also
worth seeing is the 16th-century church of Santo André,
which contains a lavish interior with interesting azulejo glazed
tiles and an elegant paneled ceiling. The town's museum has
interesting collections of music and pottery.
Nearby. Well situated on a hill overlooking Vila Franco do Campo,
the pilgrimage chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz (Our Lady of Peace)
offers wonderful views over the island's south coast. Reachable
by boat, the tiny offshore island of Ilheu is a protected nature
reserve with a natural horse shoe-shaped seawater swimming pool.
