The island of São Jorge was the second island of the central group to be recognized, since it was already known of its existence because it was sighted from Terceira Island. However, the date of its settlement is not known for sure, perhaps from the 60s of the 15th centuries, when its first settlers settled along the coast which then provided rapid population growth and economic development on this island sustained by agriculture, pastry, and cheese production.
Throughout its history, the island of São Jorge has not only suffered many attacks from pirates and corsairs, but has also been marked by its isolation, which only ended in the 20th century when it built its two ports: Velas and Calheta, and its airfield. In the 17th century, the Motim dos inhames (Yam riot), which was a popular uprising against the high taxes levied on the population in respect of yam production, was another milestone in history of São Jorge and ended up reinforcing the various difficulties that this island had to face, as well as the courage and strength of a people that had been through a lot.
About other historical events that take place on the island of São Jorge in 1808, a violent volcanic eruption occurred in the current parish of Urzelina, which destroyed a large part of that locality, as well as causing other enormous damage throughout the island, including the burial of the local church, from which only the tower that remained embedded in the basaltic rock, which remains upright, remains.
Last modified: 15 de February, 2022
