Calheta, Azores
Calheta is a municipality on the island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese autonomous region of Azores. The municipality includes the eastern portion of the island of São Jorge and borders the municipality of Velas. The population in 2011 was 3,773, in an area of 126.26 km².
History
The first reference to São Jorge was in 1439, but it wasn't until 1470, when colonial nuclei dotted the southern and western coast: the first of these colonists were believed to have come from northern Europe. The municipality of Calheta, whose first settlers arrived around the 1480s. The island of São Jorge was ceded to João Vaz Corte-Real on 4 May 1483, becoming the first Captain-Donatario, thus initiating the primary settlement of the island. This phase of development is notable for the settlement of Willem van der Haegen, a Flemish pioneer of Azorean colonization who traveled and settled in Faial, Corvo and Terceira). His final resting place was in the settlement of Topo, which he founded with other Flemish settlers; he died in 1500, and was buried in the chapel-annex to the Solar dos Tiagos. Topo was later elevated to municipality and its village the municipal seat, on 12 September 1510.Calheta was elevated to the status of town on 3 June 1534 by regal decree, issued by King D. John III.
Meanwhile, other settlements developed rapidly due to a number of sheltered anchorages and the fertility of the small fajãs where colonists established homes. Fajã de São João, one of this settlements along the southern coast, had settlers as early as 1550. Other settlements radiated from the coastal beachheads and the growth of the number of colonists justified the de-annexation of the parish of Calheta from the municipality of Velas. Demonstrating an economic vitality, it was elevated to the status of on 3 June 1534, by decree of King John III of Portugal.
Other calamities have affected the early inhabitants: several dry seasons, numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and on 21 July 1694 there occurred another tragic conflict that would later be known as the Motim dos Inhames. It was a peasant uprising against an imposed tax or tithe on taro production. Taro was a staple of the peasant class, and tax on these tuberculosis generated a large revenue for the administrative government. After three years of leniency, in 1692, Francisco Lopes Beirão ordered his agents to pressure the locals to pay their "tax". This created tensions between the political and peasants classes, exploding into hostility in the community of Ribeira da Areia between citizens in the northern half of Calheta and tax-collectors from the village of Velas. Although this conflict was settled by the local vicar, Francisco Lopes Beirão petitioned the King, and he sent João de Soveral e Barbuda to São Jorge to determine and imprison the responsible parties. In the end many peasants, their supporters from the Council in Calheta and residents of Topo were interrogated, imprisoned and required to pay outstanding taxes. Many became penniless, died of famine, or were imprisoned in the Castle of São João Baptista, the prison in Angra do Heroísmo or the jail across the Canal in Horta. Future Calhetenses would use the leaves of the taro on their rifles in honour of the events.
The parochial Church of Santa Catarina was constructed following a fire that destroyed the original chapel, that dated back to the early 16th century. As a convent was ordered constructed, on 12 May 1718, the church was also remodeled.
The Calhetense settlers did not escape the attacks and destruction caused by pirates in the waters of the archipelago. English and French privateers, in addition to Turkish and Algerian pirates in the Canal between Pico and São Jorge, persisted during the 16-17th Centuries. In 1597, a section of the squadron commanded by the Count of Essex, attacked the village of Calheta. To repel the invaders, the inhabitants, hurled rocks from the cliffs at the English privateers attempting to reach the shore. During the battle, one Portuguese soldier, Simão Gote was able to rob the ensign of their flag, and escape with it victoriously. In the 18th century, the French corsair René Duguay-Trouin pillaged the settlements in São Jorge, and in 1816 an Algerian pirate, while attempting to hunt and capture a merchant clipper was shelled by the cannons in the local fort in Calheta.
The sheltered cove was elaborated in 1755, and a lighthouse constructed in 1873 to improve navigation and shipping.
In addition to the parochial church, the Church of Santo António was completed in 1816, along the Rua de Baixo which connects Calheta and Ribeira Seca.
The village was destroyed by the 9 July 1757 earthquake, which became known as Mandado de Deus ; the earthquake was responsible for the complete destruction of the homes in the municipality and the death of 1200 people on the island.
The local philharmonic band was one of the earliest organizations to develop, and dates back to 1868.
A water network was completed in the principal urbanized area around 1878, with the completion of the local fountain.
Geography
The five parishes of Calheta are:- Calheta
- Norte Pequeno
- Ribeira Seca
- Santo Antão
- Topo - it was the first municipality established on the island of São Jorge, pioneered by a group of Flemish settlers, captained by Willem van der Haegen.
Economy
Similarly, the Port of Calheta used to be a center for the construction of trans-Atlantic ships, but has since been used for local fishing and trans-shipment services.
As the central place in the southern eastern part of the island, the area includes various banks, commercial establishments, as well as the location of the Volunteer Fire Department and the home of the island's Santa Casa da Misericórdia. Over time, the influx of tourists has helped to transform the communities of the municipality, primarily due to the geological predominance of the fajãs in the region and the relatively unspoilt natural conditions in the interior. This has had the corollary effect of expanding the production and sale of local handicraft and traditional artisanal pastries/cookies.
Architecture
Civic
- Building of the Calheta Finance Office
- Lighthouse of Ponta do Topo
- Manor of the Noronhas, the manorhouse was named for the rural landed-gentry of the period, and conveys an importance and wealth associated with the 16th century family who had ties with the Royal Household of Queen Catherine;
- Manor of the Tiagos, displaying signeurial architecture of the period, this 18th-19th century "L"-shaped building was constructed by the last Captain-major of Topo, Tiago Gregório Homem da Costa Noronha.
Religious
- Church of Santa Catarina, construction began on 8 January 1639 after the original 16th century building was destroyed by fire, a legend grew up around it and annual processions were instituted to commemorate the religiosity of the events;
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, one of the earliest temples constructed in the municipality, the church was built in the 16th century, by summarily destroyed in the often cited Mandado de Deus earthquake and only completed in 1761;
- Church of São Lázaro
- Church of São Tiago
- Church of Santo Antão
- Sanctuary of Santo Cristo da Caldeira
Culture
For many years, the Jorgense culture has been recognized in the local region for its musical abilities. The number of philharmonic bands at one time was greater than the number of civil parishes. Musical interest also extended to the traditional dances, where many played or danced to a folkloric style that included Chamarrita, Saudade, Samacaio, Pézinho, Lira, and Pêssegos. Many of the ethnographic groups that were formed in the 20th century were an attempt to protect and maintain these traditional dance forms and melodies, in addition to the typically rural dress associated a bygone age. Of note, the Grupo Etnográfico da Calheta was recognized for its research and investigations into traditional music and dress.
Notable citizens
- Francisco Lacerda composer, musicologist and folklorist, was considered one of the best musical directors in 19th century Europe. Leaving his home Fajã da Fragueira for the world, he passed through various cities on the continent, before settling in France, where he continued his roles in music, abdicating a promising course in medicine.