Piedade (Lajes do Pico)


Piedade is a civil parish in the municipality of Lajes do Pico on the island of Pico, the Portuguese Azores. The population in 2011 was 844, in an area of 12.81 km².

History

The parish was founded after 1506, from the historical registers of the time.
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake affected the community, resulting the destruction of many homes and the parochial church of the time.
Before their destruction by phylloxera plague, the vineyards in this location were great producers of the popular Verdelho wines, becoming one of the more important agricultural centres on the island.
The Direcção de Serviços de Conservação da Natureza do Pico and Serviço de Ambiente do Pico were installed in the Parque Florestal Matos Souto, a park dedicated to commander Manuel Matos Souto, an emigrante who departed for Brazil in the 19th century, where he made his fortune.

Geography

Piedade is located on the extreme east coast of Pico, bordering the parishes of Calheta de Nesquim and Ribeirinha, and connected by the Regional E.R.1-1ª roadway to other centers on the island. The parish is divided into three distinct zones, and includes two fishing ports, in addition to swimming areas in the areas of Baía da Engrade, Baía do Céu de Abraão, Baía da Caravela and Baía da Fonte. The parishes includes several localities, that includes smaller non-political communities within the civil parish, including: Altamora, Areal, Biscoito Queimado, Cabecinho, Castelete, Eiras, Galego, Calhau, Cruz do Redondo, Curral da Pedra, Engrade, Faias, Fetais, Manhenha and Ponta da Ilha.

Architecture

The patrimony of the parish is diverse, although the primary buildings are the parochial church and hermitage, the curious fishing boat shelters, windmills and lighthouse. The following were classified by IGESPAR as buildings of public interest:

Civic