Location: Ponta Delgada
Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada
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Top 5 Specialty Museums in Ponta Delgada, Azores
Ponta Delgada (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpõtɐ ˌðɛɫˈɣaðɐ]) is the largest municipality (concelho) and administrative capital of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Portugal. It is located on São Miguel Island, the largest and most populous in the archipelago. The population in 2011 was 68,809, in an area of 232.99 square kilometres (89.96 square miles). There are 17,629 residents in the three central civil parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro, São Sebastião, and São José. Ponta Delgada became the region's administrative capital under the revised constitution of 1976; the judiciary and Catholic see remained in the historical capital of Angra do Heroísmo while the Legislative Assembly of the Azores was established in Horta.
Restaurants in Ponta Delgada
1. Miolo Livraria, Galeria, Editora
2. Museu Carlos Machado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Candonjan - St. Catharines, Canada
Although the Museu itself is housed in the ancient convent of Santo Andre, for just a bit more you get access to three separate museums located near each other in one of oldest parts of the city, an outstanding bargain. For some reason these magnificent museums are largely missing from guidebooks and tourist recommendations. Our first stop was the convent (where we purchased admission to all three sites), which provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of cloistered nuns on this already remote island. The convent itself has been beautifully restored and dates back to the 16th c. (It also houses a rather odd – and old -- collection of stuffed animals and dried insects.) Second stop was the museum housing the work of Sao Miguel's greatest contemporary artist, Ernesto Canto da Maya. While you might find the display itself a bit underwhelming, if you’re lucky you’ll meet gallery docent Daniel Fernandez, who took the time to give us insight into the life and work of this sculptor and the intellectual and cultural community he helped found in mid-20th c Porta Delgada. He also insisted we not miss the Museum of Sacred Art nearby, which, given the rather dry title, we might have otherwise overlooked. But because of Daniel's enthusiasm, we made a point of visiting the next day, and that was one of the high points of our entire stay. While there is indeed a small display of sacred art, we were totally unprepared for the spectacular Igreja do Colegio where the collection is housed and its magnificent carved altar, truly one of the most awe-inspiring works of art I've ever seen. Here museum director Pedro generously explained the church and its Jesuit origins as well as help us put this masterpiece into its historical and cultural context. The name of Grinling Gibbons, the great carver that oversaw the friezes in St Paul's, is world famous, but you will leave marveling at the work of the nameless Azorean master carvers who completed this astonishing piece of work on a small island in the middle of the Atlantic at about the same time Gibbons was working in London. Don't miss it.
3. Centro de Interpretacao da Cultura do Ananas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
The Pineapple Culture Interpretation Centre (CICA), located in the heart of Faja de Baixo parish - considered the "Azores pineapple capital " - come from the need to establish the memory of the pineapple culture activity, as well as the promotion of the touristic use of its unique characteristics, allowing the visitation of its permanent exhibition and plantations. It is a place that tells the story of the pineapple culture in an interesting way and promotes the local values and traditions. In the exhibition space the visitors can "travel" through the history of the pineapple, and learn about the facts and technical evolution that allowed the creation of the "world's best pineapple". There is available information about the knowledge of the pineapple's productive cycle, the business environment that characterized its economy, the historical figures, the gastronomy, among others.
4. Museu Militar dos Acores
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By Akumuk - Paignton, United Kingdom
This very historic fort is located on the harbour side, over which it held a commanding position. It is now a military museum dedicated to the Portuguese army, especially commemorating those from the Azores islands. Housed in the very large historic fort, it is well worth the visit.
