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Angra, a City Granted World Heritage Status

The seat of captaincy in 1474, it soon became an important trading center thanks to the natural
qualities of its harbor as evidenced even in its name (Angra means Bay). Its commercial
importance led to its being given a town charter in 1478 and being raised to the status of a city -
the first in the Azores - in 1534. It was also in the latter year that Pope Paul III chose Angra to be
seat of a bishopric.

A port of call for the ships plying to and from Africa, India and the Americas - it was here that
Vasco da Gama's brother was buried during the return from the first voyage to India - it became a
town with an intensive economic live and great wealth in the 16th century. It was also at Angra
that government departments such as the Mint and the Navy Purveyor's Office were set up.

That golden period was reflected in the straight lines of its streets, in accordance with the town
planning rules of the Renaissance of which it is one of the finest examples, and also in the
splendor of its palaces and an artistic legacy that makes it a monument in itself. This has been
recognized by UNESCO, which has included in the world heritage list.

The struggles against the Spanish occupation, between 1580 and 1583, had catastrophic
consequences for Angra, which was sacked for five days by Spanish soldiers and which saw
many of its leading citizens executed.

Later in 1589, the town was attacked by the privateer, Sir Francis Drake, who was unsuccessful
in his attempt, and in 1597 the Earl of Essex, with about one hundred ships, tried in vain to seize a
fleet of Spanish galleons, loaded with gold and silver, with were anchored in the port. The
construction of São Filipe Castle, later called São João Baptista, dates from
this period; it was designed to be a defence against pirates and, at the same time, a means of
ensuring Spanish control over the town itself. With the Restoration of Portugal's independence,
the Spanish garrison surrendered after heavy fighting and after the town had been bombarded.

Until the early 19th century, Angra, as the seat of the captaincy-general, retained its standing as
the governmental of the Azores although there was a reduction of its importance as an Atlantic
seaport.

The town took an active part in the struggles for the implantation of liberalism of the liberal
Regency during the Civil War.

Because of the spirit of sacrifice and bravery then demonstrated, the town received from Queen
Maria II the title of "Heroísmo" (Heroism) proposed by the great writer, Almeida Garret.

Angra do Heroísmo, which is one of the Autonomous Region, has one of the centers of
the University of the Azores.

Having suffered the effects of an earthquake in 1980, the reconstruction work is being carried
out in such a way as to preserve the lines of the damaged buildings and
monuments.