Santa Maria

Carvalho Araújo was a Navy officer that escorted ships between Azores and Madeira during World War I. In 1918 he succeeded in neutralising a powerful German submarine, thus saving the ship connecting Funchal and Ponta Delgada. However, he was fatally wounded in the confrontation. The monument stands on Saint Blaise Fortress, Vila do Porto, south western Santa Maria (the southernmost island of Azores and geologically the oldest one).

From Saint Blaise Fortress, Vila do Porto, south western Santa Maria.

Close to Saint Blaise Fortress, at Vila do Porto, south western Santa Maria, Azores.

The Main Church of Vila do Porto, the capital of Santa Maria.

The Town Hall occupies the former Saint Francis Convent. The location is on Our Lady of Assumption Square, Vila do Porto. HBM!

Occupying the former Saint Anthony Convent, at Saint Anthony Convent Square, Vila do Porto, Santa Maria.

Restored in 1989 and available for visits, it stands at Ginjal, north of Vila do Porto.

At Doctor Jaime de Figueiredo Square, Vila do Porto, Santa Maria.

From Macela Viewpoint, southern coast of Santa Maria. This 97km2 island is the least rainy and is considered the Algarve of Azores. People from the other islands go there often for summer holidays.

In central Santa Maria.

Occasionally trees from both roadsides create a tunnel. It's a pleasant experience to drive on this road. The photo was taken from Picos Viewpoint, Santa Maria Island, Azores.

Pico Alto (High Peak) is 587m high and the highest mount of Santa Maria. This viewpoint is almost at the top, where another one was immerse in fog.

The village of Santa Bárbara can also be noticed.

A view from Pico Alto, in central Santa Maria.

At Santa Bárbara, eastern Santa Maria, Azores.

A view from Lagoinhas.

150 stair steps leading to shrine at Fátima, northern Santa Maria.

A total of 150 stair steps - at Fátima, northern Santa Maria.