A lava-shaped coastal landscape
The Fajã lávica de São Mateus was formed by basaltic lava flows that emerged from the scoria cones of Cabeço da Prainha do Galeão and Cabeço de São Mateus. The Geositio Fajã lávica de São Mateus includes significant parts of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the vineyard culture of Pico Island. Here, volcanic origins meet Pico’s vineyard landscape—two distinct ways of understanding the area’s history.
The coastal bathing area of São Mateus is also part of the area’s character. For every year from 2017 through 2023, it was rated “Excellent.” This rating applies to the period stated.
Whaling history along the hiking trail
After the cluster of houses in Cabrito, the Santana–Lajido PR10PIC hiking trail leads to the Ermida de São Mateus and provides access to the Vigia da Baleia. Built in the 20th century, the lookout was used to scan the sea for large whales. The route thus offers a direct connection to the history of whale watching.
Other traces of whaling history include old whale-watching stations and a boathouse at Porto de São Mateus. If you plan to hike the trail, check its conditions in advance, as they may change. This lets you take in the landscape and its historical traces together, without assuming a particular hiking time or route plan.
Pilgrimage, sanctuary and collection
The present-day structure of the Santuário do Bom Jesus Milagroso de São Mateus do Pico dates from 1838. The Santuário houses an image of Senhor Bom Jesus Milagroso, donated by Francisco Ferreira Goulart in 1862. On 1 July 1962, Bishop D. Manuel Afonso de Carvalho elevated the Igreja de São Mateus to the status of a diocesan sanctuary by decree. Its construction history, the donation of the image and its ecclesiastical status are thus associated with different dates.
A municipal description from 2024 presents the Casa do Bom Jesus as a place where visitors can see the Santuário’s museum collection. It lists jewellery, books and various gold and silver artefacts. It also includes the museum heritage of D. Arquimínio Rodrigues da Costa, the last Portuguese bishop of Macau, who came from this parish.
Two chapels also add to the area’s history: the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Alegria was built in 1970. The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Porto de São Mateus was founded in 1753. These different dates offer a glimpse into distinct periods of São Mateus’s religious heritage.
Festivals and local customs
The Festas do Senhor Bom Jesus Milagroso take place every year in São Mateus, attract thousands of people and include a traditional procession. A 2016 report also describes the parish church’s patron saint’s feast, celebrated annually on 21 September on the island of Pico: more than 3,000 Rosquilhas are distributed to passing pilgrims.
Rosquilhas are also distributed in the parishes of São Mateus and Candelária on Pentecost Sunday. The exact programme for this recurring tradition may vary. The São Martinho tradition in Criação Velha and São Mateus includes roasting chestnuts and drinking young wine; here, too, the specific programme may vary. Together, these customs show different aspects of the religious and seasonal year in the parishes.
Discover more destinations: Santo Amaro, Sao Joao, Terra do Pao, Lajes Do Pico, Arieiro, Madalena, Pontas Negras, Canto da Areia.
For the broader travel overview: Pico.
