Furnas Lagoon – Povoação, São Miguel Island
The Furnas Lagoon is located in the parish of Furnas, in the municipality of Povoação, São Miguel Island. It features abundant vegetation and colorful landscapes that enchant tourists both for their beauty and the peace of mind they provide.
The lagoon is surrounded by intense volcanic activity, but there is no need to worry! Although there are five active volcanoes on the island, all are dormant, with the last eruption of the Furnas Volcano occurring in 1630.
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira
On its shores, the traditional Cozido das Furnas is prepared (a dish of assorted meats and vegetables cooked in a pot buried in the holes near the fumaroles and under the ground).
Índice de conteúdos
The Furnas Lagoon
The Furnas Lagoon is situated in an ancient crater of the Furnas Volcano. On its northern shore, there are calderas with temperatures ranging from 66°C to 93°C, some filled with mud and others with clear water. Although there is no water projection, they are in constant boiling. Warning: Always follow the safety recommendations and signage in the area.
Fotografia de Sol Carvalho
Fotografia de ByAçores
The lagoon can be entirely walked around, with fumaroles bubbling on one side where the cozidos are prepared, and on the other side is the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories, the Furnas Monitoring and Research Center (hours and info below), and the Furnas Lagoon Garden.
Fotografia de Lchacal
A stroll along the lagoon, with its flowering and lush green shores, is well worth it. You can enjoy a lovely picnic, go boating, or simply admire the beautiful scenery. The striking architecture of the Monitoring and Research Center, combined with the natural beauty of the gardens and the neo-Gothic style of the church, makes a visit to the lagoon a must and a uniquely beautiful experience.
Fotografia de Márcia Azevedo
The Calderas / Fumaroles
The calderas are small rainwater ponds formed in the craters of the dormant volcano. They originated when, after an eruption, the upper part of the cone of the volcano collapsed. Over time, rainwater accumulates, and due to intense volcanic activity inside, the water bubbles, reaching high temperatures.
Fotografia de ByAçores
Some of these calderas also emit steam with gases, known as fumaroles. They are located right in the center of the parish and near the lagoon is the world’s largest hydrothermal area, featuring the island of São Miguel’s greatest volcanic manifestations, many calderas, fumaroles, and the scent of sulfur.
Fotografia de ByAçores
Fotografia de ByAçores
One of the most interesting times to visit the Furnas Lagoon is around noon when the restaurant staff goes to the fumaroles to dig up their pots of traditional Cozido das Furnas. This entire process begins early in the morning when the pots are buried in holes created in the fumaroles. They remain buried for about 6 to 7 hours, cooking in the steam, and are opened at noon and served in the restaurants.
Fotografia de ByAçores
This entire process is quite curious for those not residing in the area and attracts many tourists. There is no way to visit the Furnas Lagoon without seeing and trying the Cozido das Furnas. See here the list of restaurants where you can enjoy this dish.
Fotografia de ByAçores
Fotografia de ByAçores
Chapel of Our Lady of Victories
Another highlight of the Furnas Lagoon is the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories, located on one of its shores. This church was inaugurated on August 15, 1886, imitating the grand European cathedrals.
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira
With a very original neo-Gothic style, the chapel was intended to be a mausoleum for the intellectual José do Canto. During his lifetime, he ordered its construction as a promise for his wife’s recovery, who was seriously ill. As the church was built near his summer house, both were buried there. Learn more about the history of the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories in this article.
Fotografia de Hugo Sousa
Furnas Monitoring and Research Center
At the Furnas Monitoring and Research Center (CMIF), you can learn more about the history and evolution of the Furnas Volcano, as well as the work done in the Landscape Laboratory to protect and restore ecosystems in the protected landscape area.
Hours
From November 1 to March 31
Tuesday to Sunday | Holidays > 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed > Mondays | January 1 | Carnival Tuesday | Easter Sunday | December 25
From April 1 to October 31
Every day > 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed > Easter Sunday
The managing entity reserves the right to close the establishment based on weather conditions.
Guided Tour Hours
By appointment only.
Duration of visit: 30 minutes
Number of people per visit: 4 – 25
Prices
- Child (0 – 6 years): Free
- Junior (7 – 14 years): €1.50
- Adult (15 – 64 years): €3.00
- Senior (+ 65 years): €1.50
- Family (2 adults and children up to 14 years): €6.00
- Residents in the RAA*: Free
* Upon presentation of the Citizen Card. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Legend of Furnas Lagoon
Just as there is a geological explanation for the formation of the Furnas Lagoon, there is also a mythological one.
A legend tells that in the place where the Furnas Lagoon now lies, there was a very prosperous village with very happy residents. One day, a boy went to a nearby spring to fetch water and noticed it was salty, as if it were seawater. He warned that the water was different and feared that a catastrophe was about to happen.
However, no one believed him except his grandfather. Terrified, they tried to alert the villagers again that they would have new lands on the horizon, the Enchanted Island of Sete Cidades, and it was a sign that some catastrophe was approaching.
As days went by and nothing happened, the boy and his grandfather went to another village to try to sell their livestock. When they returned, the village had been buried, and in its place was a beautiful lagoon with clear waters.
The island’s residents believe that the villagers continue to live beneath the lagoon and that the bubbling waters are them cooking down below.
Grená Park
It is also in this area, near the fumaroles, that you can appreciate and visit Grená Park. A green space that reopened in December 2019. You can find more details, hours, and prices here.
Location on the Map
Photos
Fotografia de ByAçores
Fotografia de ByAçores
Fotografia de Helena Botelho
Fotografia de Samuel Silva
Fotografia de Samuel Silva
Video
Visiting the Furnas Lagoon is truly experiencing the immense power of nature!
Also see: Places to visit on São Miguel Island >
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