This harbor is located on the island of Terceira in the Azores archipelago and has served as a bridge between Europe and the “New World” for over three centuries. As early as the 15th century, it was a stopping point for Portuguese fleets returning to Europe. This location was strategically chosen by early navigators: it is sheltered by a range of hills from prevailing winds.
The port features two natural basins named Cờ đuôi nheo and Mỏ neo (Angra in Portuguese), which inspired the name of this settlement. Soon after its establishment, an impregnable defense system was constructed, including the major forts São Sebastiao and São Filipe (now known as São João Baptista).
At the same time, the city was uniquely planned: The grid layout, typical of new cities, was modified to account for the predominant wind directions. Thus, Angra do Heroísmo stands as the sole example of adapting an urban model to specific climatic conditions.
Many Baroque-style buildings were constructed in Angra after it became the capital of the Archdiocese of the Azores in 1534, including the Cathedral of Santissimo Salvador, the churches of Misericordia and Sante Espérito, and the Franciscan and Jesuit monasteries. In 1980, an earthquake damaged many of the ancient structures in the city. In 1983, the historical area of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, UNESCO has sent several expert teams to assist local authorities in planning the preservation of this area within a broader urban development program.