The Scenic and UNESCO World Heritage Assets of the Azores

Naomi Tetherly is a respected presence in the Massachusetts educational community and currently teaches with East Longmeadow Public Schools. An avid traveler, Naomi Tetherly has traveled throughout Asia and Europe, and also had the opportunity to visit the Portuguese autonomous region in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores. 

First colonized by Portugal in the 15th century, the nine subtropical islands that make up the Azores feature a combination of small villages and rugged volcanic peaks. Highlights include Pico Island, which features a combination of verdant vineyards and a 7,700-foot peak that represents the highest mountain in Portugal. 

A cultural highlight for many is the town of Angra do Heroísmo, which was a port of call for nearly all trans-Atlantic voyages until the steamship became prevalent in the late 19th century. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town contains the San João Baptista and San Sebastião fortifications, which date back 400 years and are uniquely well-preserved examples of 16th-century military architecture. Angra also offers a central zone rich in religious structures including the Baroque convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits, and the Santíssimo Salvador da Sé cathedral.