Formerly a 16th Century Fortress,
the Hotel Pousada Angra do Heroismo is on the Island of Terceira in the
Azores off mainland Portugal.
The Fortress, "Castelinho
de Sao Sebastiao", meaning little castle, was built on the orders of the
King, El-Rei D. Sebastiao and it was named after him.
Construction began in 1555
and in 1575 it came under the jurisdiction of the first Alcayde, Manuel
de Corte Real.
The castle is surrounded
by high walls, parts of which are ruined nowadays. However, it still retains
certain characteristic elements and until a few years, used to fly the
Portuguese flag.
The Pousada is located in
the historic centre of Angra do Heroismo, the main town on the Island of
Terceira, which was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
in 1983.
The Island was discovered
in 1427 and was originally named Jesus Christ Island. In 1450 it came under
the jurisdiction of Jacome de Bruges on the orders of Infante D. Henrique.
The first villages were located in the Jewish Port and Vitoria Beach, they
then extended to the entire island.
The Island was later renamed
"Terceira" which means third because it was the third island to be discovered.
The island is well developed,
in part due to the presence of a large American-run airbase operating in
Lajes since World War II.
For over three centuries
Angra do Heroismo was an important port in the middle of the Atlantic,
a stopover for many boats tarvelling between Europe, Africa and America.
There are 28 bedrooms comprising
15 superior rooms and 13 standard bedrooms. Most bedroom have views to the ocean.
There is also a suite which
has views over the ocean and Brasil Hill.
All rooms have private
bathroom, air conditioning / heating, LCD television, Cable TV, minibar, hair dryer, locker, telephone and internet connection.
Facilities and amenities
include restaurant, bar, room for disabled persons, non-smoking rooms,
family games and 2 swimming pools, one for adults and 1 for children.
The Restaurante "Castelinho"
serves meals on the terrace which has splendid views over the ocean.
This Pousada of Portugal
also has facilities for hosting weddings, meetings or conferences.
Activities in the area include
fishing, diving, scuba diving, country walks, horse riding, donkey rides
and boat trips.
Interesting places in the
area to visit include the 16th Century Cathedral, the Sao Joao Baptista
Castle and various Wine Museums.
There are a number of Festivals
and Festivities usually held here including the Espirito Santo Festival
from May until September, the Sao Joao Festival in June, the Beach Festival
from 4 to 10 August, Touradas a Corda (bull running) from May to October,
the Sanjoaninas Festival held in June, the Angra Jazz Festival, the Angra
Rock Festival and various Carnival dances.
This Pousada will be closed from 20 December 2008 to 31 January 2009.
|
