Ponta Delgada(Azores)

Municipal city hall and reflecting pool, with a statue of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the island of São Miguel, in the city's Baixa area

 

Ponta Delgada (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpõtɐ ˌðɛɫˈɣaðɐ]) is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro, São Sebastião, São José.

Following the revised constitution of 1976, Ponta Delgada is the administrative capital of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (the Regional Assembly is located in Horta, Faial, while the judiciary and the Roman Catholic diocese are located in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira).

The Portas da Cidade (English: Gates to the City), the historical entrance to the village of Ponta Delgada

History

On the origin of the place's name, the famous Portuguese chronicler, Father Gaspar Frutuoso, wrote:

“ This city of Ponta Delgada is named for its situation located along volcanic lands, thin and not too considerable like on other islands, that lead to the sea, and where later, was constructed the chapel of Santa Clara (Saint Clare of Assisi), which was named the Santa Clara point...”

Around 1450, Pero de Teive, established a small fishing village that eventually grew until Santa Clara.

 The center of the Baixa (English: Downtown) of Ponta Delgada, as seen from the city hall

Populated since 1444, the island of São Miguel was a vast territory, with small settlements scattered about, except for Vila Franca do Campo in the central-southern coast, and the community of Ponta Delgada. Villa Franca had for many years been the centre of the island, and Azorean government, but many nobles and landed gentry despised having to be subordinate to the government in that town (as well as many conflicts between these inhabitants and administrators in the southern coast).[1] The nobles in Ponta Delgada sent a secret contingent, headed by Fernão Jorge Velho, to meet with King Manuel in Lisbon to petition that the community be emancipated. In Abrantes, King Manuel conferred a foral on 29 May 1507, elevating the settlement to the status of village (Portuguese: vila).

 The Colegio Convent, one of the many religious sanctuaries constructed during the 15-16th Century when Ponta Delgada was a stopover on important commercial routes between Europe and the New World

Similarly, it was elevated to status of city, during the reign of King D. João III, by decred dated 2 April 1546, after the original capital of the island (Vila Franca do Campo) was devastated by th 1522 earthquake.

The naval Battle of Ponta Delgada (also known as the Battle of São Miguel) took place on 26 July 1582, off the coast, as part of the 1580 Portuguese succession crisis. An Anglo-French corsair expedition sailed against Spain to preserve Portuguese control of the Azores, which had aligned itself with the pretender António, Prior of Crato, thereby preventing Spanish control (it was the largest French force sent overseas before the age of Louis XIV).

 A view of the commercial-industrial centre of Ponta Delgada from a B737 departing João Paul II International Airport

It was during the 19th Century, that the municipality experienced its greatest boost of economic activity, with the funnelling of citrus exports to United Kingdom and the growth of foreign-owned businesses in the historic center, many of them Jewish merchants after 1818. As with other centres across the archipelago, the town of Ponta Delgada experienced many of the trends common for the period, including the "greening" of the communities (with the construction of the gardens of António Borges, José do Canto, Jácome Correia and Viscount of Porto Formoso, which would become part of the University of the Azores), the construction of many of the ornate homes/estates, the clearing animals from urban spaces, the opening of newer, larger, roadways, the moving of cemeteries to the periphery, and relocation of markets for fish, meat and fruits. Due to these changes, and growth of the mercantile class, Ponta Delgada became the third largest town in Portugal, in economic riches and the number of residents. The poet Bulhão Pato, writing of Ponta Delgada, was surprised by the extraordinary riches of the plantation owners, the "gentlemen farmers" that lived within the urbanized core: exporters of oranges and corn, bankers, investors, industrialists and shippers, all contributing to a privileged class of economic and social thinkers and philanthropists.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Ponta Delgada's position was relatively high (eighth largest), although the changing importance of rural economies steadily chipped-away at its growth. But it remained the central place in the economy and hierarchy of the Azorean archipelago.

 A mixture of uses: the tourist cruise ship Canberra and transport ships jostle for position in the Port of Ponta Delgada

Climate

The municipality's climate, much like the rest of the Azores, is shaped by the Gulf Stream allowing a small variation in temperatures, with annual temperatures oscillating between 14°C and 25°C, typical to a Mediterranean or Subtropical climate. The Gulf Stream also contributes to a unstable weather that varies greatly during the Autumn and Spring, making weather forecasting on a daily basis difficult. Levels of humidity are significant enough (usually 90-100%) that temperatures fluctuations feel comparable to those experienced in locations on similar latitudes.

Culture

Apart from major secular festivals, like the Festival of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, the municipality holds a summer program of socio-cultural events in the Campo do São Francisco (located in front of the Fort of São Brás). The Noites de Verão (Nights of Summer) is a gathering place for family, friends and tourists, with many vendors selling food, refreshments or small goods. In addition, this secular festival is highlighted by nightly musical events, from popular Azorean bands/singers, folklore groups and some national/international stars. Starting usually in late June, the "nights" run until September (four months), and is sponsored/supported by the municipal government.

government offices

To the north of Ponta Delgada are the suburbs of Fajã de Baixo and Fajã de Cima. Fajã de Baixo is agricultural with pineapple cultivation. Fajã de Cima is famous for its festivities. To the eastern side of Ponta Delgada is the suburb of "São Roque" which is gradually becoming part of the city itself as it expands along the coast with the construction of a new marina and a seaside walk with leisure facilities

parish church

 

Posted in: PORTUGAL