St John's Festival on Terceira Island ©Solange Hando
In the true spirit of the Azores, Terceira loves its festivals, especially the Feast of St John celebrated for over a week every June in Angra, the capital.
Parades, dancing, concerts, bullfights and more,it is above all a local festival, though tourists are welcome, and a way to bring people together from different villages and even islands.
Former Jesuit Convent ©Solange Hando
Angra is the oldest city in the Azores and after extensive damage caused by the 1980 earthquake, it has been beautifully rebuilt in Renaissance style with pretty balconies, balustrades and pastel colours.
It is a UNESCO site spreading all up and down the main cobbled street where the cathedral holds centre ground.
Vasco de Gama in Angra ©Solange Hando
Illustrious visitors include Pope John Paul II who came in 1991 and Vasco de Gama who dropped anchor in Angra in 1499 to lay to rest his brother who had perished during their return journey from India.
Pretty Street, Angra ©Solange Hando
Beyond the most stylish buildings, it is well worth wandering through the lanes, as quiet as a village and lined with humble traditional dwellings. Colours are everywhere -blue seems a favourite- and there are plenty of flowers and greenery.
Angra's Botanical Garden ©Solange Hando
Small but carefully designed and maintained, this is an oasis of peace complete with water features, trees and plants along the paths paved with clever designs of birds, cats and butterflies.
The garden climbs up to the hilltop pyramid which offers fabulous views over the city and the adjoining peninsula of Mount Brasil.
City and Coastal View from Mount Brasil ©Solange Hando
Accessed by road or on foot, Mount Brasil rises above the fortress to a wonderful viewpoint and a network of scenic trails which can take you along the clifftop, where you might spot whales in season, or all around the crater rim from open land with ocean views to the forest twittering with birds.
Lovely photos Solange to remind me and others of a beautiful island and a great holiday. Look forward to seeing more photos
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