A Fajã dos Vimes is located on the south coast of the Island of São Jorge, and its landscape is truly eye-catching, a genuine spectacle of nature.
It is a geosite of significant scientific, educational, and geotouristic interest, attracting countless tourists every year. Visitors are enchanted by the local geolandscape, which is classified by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
Forming part of the São Jorge coastline, this fajã belongs to the parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Calheta. It is surrounded by one of the island’s highest cliffs, which sees frequent rainfall throughout the year, contributing to the region’s climate and creating excellent conditions for agriculture, especially for growing coffee.
And speaking of coffee, it is here in Fajã dos Vimes that the Nunes family has a plantation of this delicacy on the land behind their house.
For those interested in learning more about the production process, the family offers tours of the coffee plantation, where the owners share the complete history and origin of their coffee. On the Nunes’ property, traditional wool and cotton bedspreads are also produced using pedal looms, a craft typical of the locality.
For those who enjoy hiking, this fajã is the starting point for a walking trail offering fantastic views of the island and its incredibly rich fauna and flora.
So, be sure to visit and explore Fajã dos Vimes, a place brimming with natural beauty and a unique coffee-growing area.
History of Fajã dos Vimes
The history of the Island of São Jorge is marked by a cycle of seismic activity, alternating between long periods of calm and intense phases with stronger earthquakes. And it was in Fajã dos Vimes that one of the worst earthquakes in the history of the Azores occurred: the Calheta Earthquake, on 9 July 1757.
To give you an idea, with the exception of the Island of Flores and Corvo, all the other islands in the archipelago felt the impact of the earthquake. It caused the destruction of all buildings in Calheta and resulted in a total of 1,034 deaths on São Jorge, 11 on Pico, and 1 on Terceira.
Other disasters have also occurred in Fajã dos Vimes: In 1899, Porto dos Vimes was hit by a massive flood that affected the entire south coast of São Jorge. And in 1992, Hurricane Bonnie brought torrential rain, causing the Ribeira dos Vimes to overflow and destroy the bridge.
Photo by António Faria (video at the end)
Most importantly, Fajã dos Vimes has overcome all the challenges that have marked its history, and is now considered a much-loved spot by the people of São Jorge. Furthermore, the cultivation of agricultural products like corn, barley, grapes, yams, and coffee is part of the region’s history, with these products holding great economic value for the local inhabitants.
Another interesting event in Fajã dos Vimes is the festival on Corpus Christi Day, which welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the island to enjoy the traditional dishes offered by the residents of Vimes, such as fried fish, lapas (limpets), yams, and potatoes, all accompanied by a good wine.
Attractions
The main attractions in Fajã dos Vimes are the Nunes Family’s coffee plantations and the local weavers with their traditional bedspreads, produced on handlooms that are over a century old.
The church is located near the sea and has ties to the brotherhood of the Holy Spirit. To complete the picture, the houses feature architectural characteristics of the period.
However, due to the 1757 earthquake, all the buildings were destroyed. Consequently, all the local buildings underwent a reconstruction process, losing their original features.
It’s also worth mentioning the various viewpoints along the road to Fajã dos Vimes, which offer fantastic photo opportunities of stunning landscapes.
Hiking Trail
Finally, for hiking enthusiasts, the PR9SJO – Fajã dos Vimes / Fregueira / Portal trail begins right in the fajã, with a duration of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, covering 3.2 km of beautiful scenery. But before you go, check the weather conditions, as some trails may be closed due to bad weather.
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