Bordões Rock – Flores Island

Bordões Rock is located in the parish of Mosteiros, in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, on the Island of Flores, in a place called Cabo Baixo das Casas.

Bordões Rock is a geological formation made up of large basalt columns. It is set in a stunning natural context and draws attention for its grandeur and immense beauty.

This fantastic vertical rock monument, created by nature itself, can be seen from a great distance and is a significant landmark on the island. Its imposing rock formation with a curious shape attracts many tourists and is also an excellent spot for photography. See also: Photos of Flores Island

Bordões
Fotografia de Jorge Almeida

History of Bordões Rock

Bordões Rock is a curious geological phenomenon, featuring enormous rock columns that resemble walking sticks, hence its name. The great rock is located near the roads connecting the parishes of Mosteiro and Lajedo. It was formed by the solidification and cooling of volcanic lava.

A geosite of great significance and importance for the Azores, its surface is covered with mosses and vegetation, with its color changing over time due to sunlight exposure throughout the day.

Bordões Rock is approximately 570,000 years old, dating back to the lava flow. Its columns stand about 20 meters tall and remain well-preserved to this day.

See also: Geotourism in the Azores

Bordões
Fotografia de Paulo Branco

Visiting and Viewing Bordões Rock

Bordões Rock can be observed from various locations, such as the Bordões Rock Viewpoint, where visitors can enjoy a privileged view of this monument and capture its grandeur in photographs.

Its base within the sea features warm waters, forming small boiling water cauldrons, reminding us of its volcanic origin.

Location on the Map

Rocha dos Bordões
Fotografia de José Maria Sousa

Curiosities

Here are some curiosities about this rock monument:

• Bordões Rock is a unique geological feature in the Azores archipelago.
• It is believed that the rock was formed inside a volcanic cone that over the years underwent an erosive process that exposed its interior.

Rocha dos Bordões – Ilha das Flores
Fotografia de José Maria Sousa

Video

Aerial images of Bordões Rock by António Faria.

For those who love to appreciate nature and see with their own eyes the grandeur of a natural element formed by volcanic lava many years ago, here is Bordões Rock.