Monte Brasil

Monte Brasil rises at the edge of Angra do Heroísmo, a green volcanic peninsula that closes the bay of the old Azorean capital. Ringed by the walls of a great fortress, it offers walking trails, forest and some of the finest views in the archipelago.

A fortress above the bay

The hill was fortified from the sixteenth century, when Angra was a vital stop on the routes between Europe, Africa and the Americas. The fortress of São João Baptista, later used by the Spanish and then by the Portuguese crown, still encircles much of the peninsula, and the ruins of the Castelo dos Moinhos crown its highest point.

What to see

• The walls and gates of the fortress of São João Baptista.
• Views over Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The forest, trails and viewpoints of the peninsula.
• The ruins of the Castelo dos Moinhos at the summit.

Visiting Monte Brasil

Monte Brasil is at the edge of Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira. Access and any restrictions are published by the municipality and the regional government, so check before your visit.

Visitor information: culturacores.azores.gov.pt.

Image credit: Monte Brasil, Angra do Heroísmo, by Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.