The city and municipality of Ribeira Grande is located on the north coast of the island of São Miguel, Azores with a population of 32 112 inhabitants (2011 census) distributed by 14 parishes: Calhetas, Rabo de Peixe, Pico da Pedra, Ribeira Seca, Conceição, Matriz (RG), Santa Bárbara, Ribeirinha, Porto Formoso, São Brás, Maia, Lomba da Maia, Fenais da Ajuda and Lomba de São Pedro.
Ribeira Grande is so called because of the river that gives it its name, with a beautiful waterfall. It was at the end of the 15th century that settlement began in Ribeira Grande, which has always been a region of the island with fertile land, thus becoming a very important economic centre in São Miguel in the 20th century.
At the level of built patrimony, in this municipality there is a special emphasis on the white masonry and ashlar, mainly of basalt, that together give a unique image and contrast to the buildings here present, as in the Church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela, composed by an enormous staircase and in the Bridge of Oito de Arcos that are the image of recognition of Ribeira Grande. However, in this city, the Senhor dos Passos or Espírito Santo Church stands out. Built in the 18th century, it is the only example in the Azores with a convex outline to the outside, with its counter-curved fortress and all decorated with elements of the Atlantic Baroque, which is based on basalt. On the other hand, the presence of palatial and manor houses in Ribeira Grande prove the economic power that existed here, an example being the current Casa da Cultura, located in the 18th century manor house of São Vicente that had in its installations the Municipal and Ethnographic Museum of Ribeira Grande.
The Azorean Emigration Museum (MEA), inaugurated in 2005 and where the AEAzores headquarters are located, in addition to its cultural value, is part of the patrimonial value of Ribeira Grande. Located in the old fish market of the city, the MEA has a vast collection of local ethnography, from photographs to clothes and objects donated by Azorean emigrants, who left their land in search of better conditions and quality of life. Still in the context of Emigration, it is in Ribeira Grande, that is located the Praça do Emigrante, a unique and original place in the world, built in homage to the Azorean Emigrants, with the globe Saudades da Terra, the drawing Shore To Shore, the Calçada dos Mundos and the mural where it is possible to place a plaque in homage to the emigrants.
It is in Ribeira Grande, more precisely in the parish of Maia, that the Museu do Tabaco da Maia is located, which was one of the oldest tobacco factories on the island of São Miguel. When visiting this museum it is possible to see the processing areas and machines that were part of the tobacco manufacturing process. Another traditional and very important factory in the Azores are the Tea Factories in the parish of Porto Formoso and in the Gorreana area of Maia, where you can visit the factory installations and the tea plantations. At the Gorreana tea factory, in turn, it is possible to see up close the whole tea manufacturing process and all the machinery used in other times and nowadays. It is in Gorreana that is located the oldest tea plantation in all Europe.
Ribeira Grande is a city with a lot of culture and important traditions that are well rooted in its society. We could not talk about Ribeira Grande without mentioning the Cavalhadas de São Pedro (St. Peter’s Cavalcade) that takes place around the 29th of June (St. Peter’s Day) and is a municipal holiday in Ribeira Grande. This is a tradition of great importance in Ribeira Grande and for all Ribeira-grandenses, being these festivities accompanied by popular marches in honour of São Pedro and all the revelry and fun typical of the popular saints festivities.
There are many events that elevate the city of Ribeira Grande and that attract innumerous visitors: from the Quinhentist Fair to the religious festivities with their processions and festivals to the music festivals more directed to the youth, as is the case of the Monte Verde Festival, one of the biggest summer music festivals of the Azores that already brought to Ribeira Grande many outstanding artists, nationally and internationally.
Ribeira Grande, besides its historical and beautiful city, is also endowed with the following natural beauties:
Last modified: 17 de March, 2022
