Discovering Horta

The two moutains of Queimado and da Guia, are protected areas, and as it can be easily noticed, of totally different geological natures. The first one literally means “Burnt” and the second one reaches a height of 145m. On the side facing the open sea, there are two crater-like formations called “Caldeirinhas”. From the top of both elevations, great panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscape can be obtained. On top of the Guia mountain, stands a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guia, build in 1943, from where a procession is made every summer. There is also a large antenna for aeronautical navigation, and nearer to the water line, you can find the house ruins of the Dabney family, American consulates in the island in the 19th century. Other ruins are those of Greta fort from 1666 which are now covered by the road, and the two whale factories, builtin 1896 and 1941, and deactivated in 1975. Hidden from the public, deep inside the moutain, is an underground mesh of tunnels and bunkers from the Second World War, some of the towers and and viewpoints can still be seen from the outside.