Culture

São Jorge, in the summer, is known for its festivals, such as the Cultural Week of Velas and the July Festival in Calheta.

Origin and Identity...

It is believed that Portuguese navigators first encountered São Jorge along with the other islands that surround it. Settlement is thought to have begun around 1460, making it the second island in the central group to be inhabited. A decade later, several population centers were established on the west and south coasts, including Velas.

The island’s buildings were constructed in harmony with the surrounding landscape. On the island, you can see picturesque ports that serve as gateways to centuries-old houses and churches, each with its own stories to tell. Religious architecture is at its finest in the Church of Santa Bárbara, which is classified as a National Monument.

Traditional Local Craft

High-point quilts stand out in the island’s craftsmanship and continue to be handmade on wooden looms in Fajã dos Vimes.

Its Festivals

In April, the festivals of São Jorge are celebrated in Velas, featuring processions, exhibitions, and musical performances. In May, as in the other islands, the Feast of the Holy Spirit is celebrated, with various pilgrimages to the different fajãs, culminating in popular festivities with traditional music. However, the main festivals on the island are the Cultural Week of Velas and the July Festival in Calheta. Both in July, they offer a cultural program with exhibitions, lectures, ethnographic parades, popular music, and nighttime entertainment. Many residents from other islands take advantage of these festivities to visit São Jorge.