UPDATE: Final Program ONLINE!!!     ATTENTION: You should book your flight and hotel as soon as possible.
University of Azores – Department of Agriculture Sciences

The Department for Agriculture Sciences (DCA) is the unit of the University of Azores (UAç) dedicated to teach and research in the area of Agriculture Sciences, encompassing: Agriculture, Soils and Fertility; Plants’ Protection; Chemistry and Microbiology of Water; Enology; Enology and Nature Conservation; Agriculture Biology; Chemistry and Atmospheric Physics; Agriculture Economics and Management; Food and Agricultural Technology; Climatology; Hydrologic Resources; Environment and Urban Planning; Rural Engineering; Oceanographic Physics; Agriculture and Animal Biotechnologies; Animal Production (Nutrition, Food, Reproduction).

Since it was created the Department for Agriculture Sciences (DCA) has kept important relations and partnerships with other Universities and national and international Research Centres.

This networking has allowed the DCA to form a stable group of teachers and researchers within the Department who have been the responsible for the several pos-graduate studies (masters and doctorates) as well as research projects (regional, national, within the EU or extra EU).
www.dca.uac.pt


Azores – Terceira Island

Summing up nine volcanic blocks, with an orientation southeast-northwest, the archipelago of Azores is situated about 1.500 Kms west from the European Coast and approximately 3.900 kms from the American Continent.

The most populated Island in the central group of the Archipelago is the Terceira Island. This Island has a surface of approximately 400 Kms2 (a maximum of 29 Kms width and 17,5 Kms length). The Island is built upon three main rocky groups: five volcanic peak remaining forms on the east of the island, the peak of Guilherme Moniz - Pico Alto in the centre of the island and Santa Barbara on its western part.

Angra do Heroísmo’s municipality occupies about 60% of the Island. With its volcanic origin, the Island has a very particular landscape with mountains and hills some of them with cuplike crater at the summit. The vegetation is luxurious and innumerous different species can be found there, including some endemic plants. The rural areas are particularly marked by agricultural landscapes, like green fields and cattle pasture.

The climate in Terceira Island is very much influenced by its oceanic location: small temperature variations and high humidity and rain. (temperature ranges, on average, from 24ºC to 14ºC degrees).
http://www.visitazores.org/Home.aspx?Language=EN


Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo is situated in the southern coast of the Terceira Island, home of a military base as well as home of the bishop of the Catholic Church. The most important and worth visiting monuments in the city are the cathedral, the military academy, the arsenal and the observatory. The harbour, nowadays with no significant commercial or strategic importance, was once a central navy post worth visiting to any passengers in the Atlantic Ocean.

In the southern part of the city, there is a high mountain cliff - Monte Brazil – which is the remaining of an ancient volcano.

Angra do Heroísmo was the first locality being classified as a city in 1534. In that same year the pope Paul III chose it to be the home of the bishop. Only in the 19th century it was named “do Heroísmo” in memory of the liberal that took place. It has resisted to several military conflicts as well as natural hazards, namely the heard quake in 1980, and still keeping its own urban structure since 15th century or the architectural traits of its monuments and buildings. In 1983 it was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in recognition of this great architectural and historical value of this city.

Angra do Heroísmo is an historical city rich in either popular or erudite cultural traditions. Cultural events usually take place in privileged monuments or heritage sites, like museums, churches or castles.

For heritage lovers, Angra do Heroísmo World Heritage City offers a great variety of architectural references of military, civil or religious architecture: fortresses, castles, churches, libraries, museums, gardens, monuments, farms and farm houses, sightseeing places that are worth more than one a single visit.

Terceira Island, and the city of Angra do Heroísmo, in particular, has a long established tradition in tauromachy for its Touradas de Praça, Touradas à corda Terceirenses or simply the traditional bullfighting. During the month of June, integrated in the traditional feast (Sanjoaninas), there are the most national and international known bullfights.
http://www.destinazores.com/index.php



  • How to get?

The Plane is the most common way to get to Azores. At a 2 hour distance from Lisbon there are regular flights to: Lajes (Terceira Island), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island) and Horta (Faial Island). There are also charter flights connecting several Northen European countries, the United States or Canada to Lajes (Terceira Island) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island).

All along the year, flights across the archipelago’s islands are done by a regional operator SATA – Air Açores. It is also possible to travel and visit the islands the using the regular maritime connections with the operators: Transmaçor or Expresso do Triângulo.



  • Portuguese Time

Portugal has the same time as GMT (one hour earlier than the Continental European Time - CET).
Azores has one hour less from the Continent, hence GMT-01:00 (two hours earlier than CET)



  • Places to Visit

Angra do Heroísmo – is an exquisite city with a urban design dating from the XVI th century and monuments from the XVII th and XVIII th centuries. For more than three centuries this city was one the confluence centres of Europe, Africa and America (the Office of Fleets and Vessels of the Indies was set there).

Angra was officially raised to the status of a city on 21st August 1534; during the same year, it became the set of the Archbishop of the Azores. This religious function contributed to the development of the monumental character of the city where the cathedral of the Santíssimo Salvador, the churches of the Misericórdia and of Santo Espírito, the convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits were all constructed in the Baroque style. Even following the earthquake of 1st January 1980, Angra do Heroísmo has preserved the better part of its monumental heritage and a homogenous urban ensemble, characterized by original vernacular architecture. (WH)

Despite of the fact that Angra do Heroísmo was already classified as regional heritage, in 1983 it was declared world heritage by the UNESCO. There are many different places and monuments to visit, namely: the Sé Catedral, the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais, Castel of São João Baptista, Castel of São Sebastião, Paços do Concelho, Convento and Igreja de São Francisco, Alto da Memória, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Igreja de S. Mateus, Forte Grande e Forte do Negrito, Igreja de São Gonçalo, Igreja da Misericórdia, Igreja de Santa Bárbara, Palácio Bettencourt, Solar da Madre de Deus.

The Monte Brasil is a protected landscape, in the city of Angra do Heroísmo, where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Island.

The Mata da Serretais located in the western part of the island, is a small forest with a luxurious vegetation and offering an environment of great serenity and wonderful landscapes in the sightseeing heap of Peneireiro.

The Estrada das Doze Ribeiras is a route accompanied in each sideway by the typical Azorean flowers (hortênsias), offering one of the most impressive and beautiful views in the west part of the island.

The Caldeira of Guilherme Moniz, with a perimeter of 15 kms, is the biggest caldera of the whole archipelago.

Algar do Carvão, a natural geological reserve formed with caves with around 100m depth, where you can find stalactites and an inside lagoon, is a very much appreciated place, especially for speleologists. Nearby there are as well the Furnas do Enxofre with the smoky areas (fumaroles), the Caves of Balcões, Agulhas and Natal and the Furnas da Água. It is advisable to use proper equipment.

The Serra do Cume, is a hill with 545m height, gives you the most complete landscapes in the municipality of Praia da Vitória: on the one side the bay of Praia da Vitória and the plains of Lajes; on the other, the inside part of the island, green vegetation separated by dark walls and the impressive blue of the Azorean flowers (hortênsias).

The Ilhéu das Cabras, situated nearby the south coast of the island, it is a two-rock volcano with high hills covered by green vegetation. It is an important place where maritime birds joint to nidificate.

The Miradouro do Facho, a real “balcony over the city”, where you can appreciate the large extent of sandy beach in the bay of Praia da Vitória as well as the commotion around the fishing and commercial ports.

The location of Alagoas, situated in the parish of Agualva, is a protected landscape, abundant in endemic vegetation. This place is very much appreciated by fishermen, especially for “calhau” and “inhame”.

To climb to Pico Alto, is an enormous challenge for those who enjoy pedestrian walks. In this peak you can enjoy the splendid general view of the vegetation on the inside part of the island and the location of Ramo Grande.

The Peaks of Bagacina and of Cabrito, are regions of lava, that have become zones of particular forms and where wild cattle is brought up.

The Biscoitos, specific volcanic forms in the north coast where vineyards are displayed in particular forms.

The Lagoons of the Negro and the Lagoons of Pico do Boi are special places worth visiting.

Impérios do Espírito Santo – these are small open air theatres which span all over the island, built in honor of the Holly Spirit. These have fantasy forms and strong colours, being one of the most interesting forms of Azorean Popular Architecture.



  • Museums and Libraries

- Museum of Angra do Heroísmo - installed in the former Convent of Saint Francisco lodges the main historical heritage units of the Island.

- Museum Vulcano espeleológico – includes a very interesting collection f volcanic materials found by the Society of Espeleologic Exploration “os Montanheiros”, during their expeditions.

- Museum of the Wine of the Biscoitos

- Public Library and Archive of Angra do Heroísmo



  • Events
  • Sanjoaninas – June, 24
  • Touradas à Corda - form May to October (every Sundays and Mondays)
  • Jazz Festival of Angra do Heroísmo - October
  • Traditional Music Festival of Ramo Grande in Praia da Vitória



  • Sports and Leasure

- Beaches and natural swimming pools of limpid waters and great beautiful views. The best areas to bath are: the Areal da Praia da Vitória, Biscoitos, Porto Martins, Escaleiras(Vila Nova), Quatro Ribeiras, Porto das Cinco Ribeiras, Silveira and Negrito in S. Mateus.

- The Marines of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória are very nice places for those who are yachting in the Atlantic Ocean

- Sportive fishing, particularly in Silveira, S. Mateus, Pesqueiro, Biscoitos, Porto Martins, Porto Novo and Porto Judeu.

- Scuba Diving for underwater watchers lovers. In the coast line of the island there are several places to practice.

- Submarine fishing

- Water Sports namely windsurf or aquatic ski, rowing or sailing

- Hunting, particularly in the region of Pico Alto.

- Walking, there are 2 especial pedestrian tracks certified by the Tourism Office, namely in Monte Brasil and in Pico do Negrão, situated in Serreta.

- Horse riding

- Golf in Algar do Carvão (golf field with 18 holes).

- Tennis

- Speleology



  • Articrafts
  • Embroidery in flax
  • Craftwork in the traditional loom. (mantas, saias, aventais, colchas, etc)
  • Craftwork in lane
  • Basket weaving
  • Ceramics
  • Wooden works (Furniture, etc)



  • Gastronomy

Typical dishes – There is a great variety from which, none the less, we can name: the soup Espírito Santo, caldeirada de peixe com maçãs, alcatra ( que ganhou o primeiro prémio nacional de pratos regionais), morcela, sarapatel, polvo, e coelho de molho vilão.

Seafood – Lobster, “cavacos”, caranguejos, cracas e lapas, cozinhados segundo receitas tradicionais.

Traditional Sweets – A cozinha terceirense mostra os seus primores na doçaria, com mais de duzentas receitas; destacam-se aqui a massa sovada, os confeitos, os coscorões, as donas amélias e o alfenim.

Cheese – namely the fresh goat cheese and the island cheese.

Wine – The “Verdelho dos Biscoitos” is the most common grape caste in the the region of Biscoitos, used both in wines to accompany the main dishes as well as the sweet wines for aperitives - Vinho Licoroso de Qualidade Produzido em Região Determinada ( V.L.Q.P.R.D ).



Restaurants
Speciality
Adega Lusitânia - Angra do Heroísmo regional cooking
Restaurante Casa da Roda - Angra do Heroísmo -
Restaurante As Nossas Ilhas - Angra do Heroísmo sea fish, fresh fish, regional cooking
Restaurante Adega de S. Mateus -S. Mateus da Calheta fresh fish
Restaurante Beira Mar - S.Mateus da Calheta fresh fish, regional cooking
Restaurante Miramar - Praia da Vitória steaks, regional alcatra
Restaurante Xisa Mar - Praia da Vitória steaks, regional alcatra