Quatro Fábricas de Luz

Short and linear, this trail takes you through places that tell how the island industrialised between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The connecting thread is electricity: its production from renewable sources and how it reached the settlements, work driven by engineer José Cordeiro (1867-1908).

Start from the car park at Parque Escutista dos Lagos. Facing south, pass through the gate by the stream and walk to the water reservoir that once fed the Fábrica da Cidade (1904-1974); today that same reservoir serves the Ribeira da Praia Mini-hydroelectric Plant, built in 1990 and producing since 1991. Take the path to the left of the reservoir and descend to the Fábrica da Cidade, two ruined buildings leaning against the stream.

Continuing south, a left turn towards the stream allows you to glimpse the old loading chamber of the Fábrica da Vila. Back on the main path, at a fork follow left to the base of one of the waterfalls of Ribeira da Praia, where you find the ruins of the Fábrica da Vila (1899/1900-1972), the oldest of the four.

From here, signage follows the stream through woodland dominated by incense trees (Pittosporum undulatum) and acacias (Acacia melanoxylon). Upon reaching the cultivated fields, descend again to the water: on the left, you can take a dip at Cascata do Segredo; on the right, at Poço dos 30 Reis.

Then, follow the old water pipeline to Lugar da Praia. By the fountain, it’s worth taking the right turn to visit the Electricity Museum Centre – Fábrica da Praia (1911-1974). To visit the working facilities, book in advance with EDA Renováveis, EDA Group (eda@eda.pt / 00351 296 202 000).