Calheta

Calheta, one of the oldest parishes of the island, was one of the first to be explored by the primitive colonizers. Founded on the 1st of June 1502 by Royal Decree from Dom Manuel the Virtuous, the Municipal Assembly of the region stipulated that the town’s anniversary should be celebrated on the 24th of June, this day coinciding with the St. John’s celebrations.

Besides its attractive location, surrounded by rocks and almost caressing the ocean, Calheta – which actually means ‘small beach’ in Portuguese – has an old sugar cane factory, founded in 1901 and still producing sugar cane honey and ‘aguardente’ (sugar cane spirit) to offer. Calheta is also famous for the wide variety of fish to be found in its coastal waters.

Recently, a new visitors’ attraction was added to this enchanting place by the sea. The Art Centre of Casa das Mudas, where alternating high-quality exhibitions will be on display, is an ambitious architectural project designed in complete harmony with its surroundings.