Angra do Heroismo, which translates to “Bay of Heroism”, is the current capital city of the Azorean island of Terceira and the historic capital of the entire archipelago. Usually known simply as Angra, the town has a long and rich history. Now home to ~35k Azoreans, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In the past, the wide and deep bays of Angra served as a convenient stopping point for the ships of the Portuguese East Indies company. The result of this influx of wealth is easily visible in the historic churches and houses, many of which were likely nicer than would be expected in a small town perched on the shore of a somewhat remote island.
Angra’s shoreline is bisected by Monte do Brazil, a dormant volcanic cone, and the sides of this hill are home to an enormous fortification started by the Portuguese, and subsequently completed by Spain when Portugal fell under their control in the 1500s. Part of the fort is still used by the Portuguese military, and its massive stone walls and crenellations are a visible reminder of the historic strategic importance of the town and the entire island group of the Azores.
While the harbor at Angra is probably the best in the Azores for very heavy ships like the ones that used to ply the spice trade, the protection is not that great for small recreational sailboats. While the bay is only open to the south, the prevailing northeast breeze somehow wraps around the island and drives a short, uncomfortable chop into the anchorage.
Luckily for Madrone, we snagged a rare open slip in the small marina in front of town. Moored directly under the fort, the marina is a great base for exploring the cobble streets and historic buildings of old town Angra.
