Corvo Island
Corvo is 10 miles north of Flores and has a surface area of 17 km². The population stands at approximately 300 inhabitants concentrated in the town of Vila Nova.
The picturesque town is composed of narrow streets locally called canadas. The most prominent structure the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Milagres or Our Lady of Miracles Church (patron saint of the island), was built during the 16th century using the Flemish design from Malines.
Departing from the urban centre, the Morro do Pão Açucar (hill), offers the first view overlooking Corvo. At Monte Grosso, the highest mount on the island with an altitude of 770 meters, an extraordinary view overlooking the Caldeirão is available. This vast crater, 300 meters deep with a perimeter of 3,4 km, is the remains of the now extinct volcano from which the island originated.
The interesting cliffs of the Cavaleiro and the Marco and various other islets scattered near the island, provide the steep coast with a splendour worthy of admiration.
A series of small windmills are found along the coast which differ from the other islands of the Archipelago. Constructed from black stone the windmills are outfitted with triangular cloth sails. These windmills have a mechanism which rotates the vault to accompany a change in the wind direction.
Upon leaving this small but attractive island, the memory of its landscape and the people that call Corvo home will certainly find a place in your heart.
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