Lajes is a civil parish in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, on the Portuguese island of Terceira in the Azores. The population in 2011 was 3,744, in an area of . It is the second most populous parish in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. It contains the localities Fundões, Caldeira, Canada da Caldeira, Canada das Fontainhas, Canada das Vinhas, Canada do Poço, Lajedo, Lajes, Picão, Rebentão and Santa Rita.

Lajes is best known for being the location of Portuguese Air Force Base No.4, used for military, small inter-island, as well as scheduled and chartered flights from North America and mainland Europe. The U.S. military has a multi-year agreement with the government of Portugal at Lajes Airfield, which is the base for U.S. 65th Air Base Wing (65 ABW).

History

There is reference to the navigator Pero de Barcelos, who was one of the first settlers in the region, dating to 3 April 1507. Lajes is thought to have been elevated to the status of town in 1515.

The date of the construction of the original church is unknown. It was burned by English privateers in 1587,

Economy

Owing to the significance and importance of the regional air field, the economy of Lajes has a symbiotic relationship with the activities at Air Base No.4. Most of the auxiliary staff at the base are residents of Lajes, and many services in the parish support the international demands of the stationed personal. Although most services are provided on base for servicemen, there are still trickle-down affects to the local community, with support personnel living in the parish and spending their money in the local economy. At the same time, it is common for foreign servicemen to support the local economy, when not on duty.

Local activities include carpentry shops, services directed to farmers, automobile and mechanical garages, video, graphic and promotional services and financial institutions, including branches of the national and regional banks (Montepio, Banif, etc.). In addition, several shops, mini-markets, fruit stands and groceries service the local residents with bakeries, a butcher shop, and hairstylists.

Architecture

Lajes has several elementary schools with the main one located in Aldeia Nova. It has two churches with the main one dating back to the 16th century. This church has been destroyed by earthquakes in 1614 and 1841 and partially destroyed in the 1 January 1980 earthquake. The other smaller church is located in Cabouco.

Civic

  • Fountain of Ribeira da Areia ()
  • Fountain of Malícias ()
  • Fountain of Largo de S. João ()
  • Fountain of Remédios ()
  • Fountain of the Cruzeiro ()
  • Fountain of Picão ()
  • Washhouse of Ribeira dos Pães ()
  • Fountain of the Caldeira ()

Religious

  • Church of the Archangel Michael ()
  • Hermitage of Our Lady of Remedies ()
  • Hermitage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ()
  • Liturgical Centre of the Serra de Santiago ()

References

Notes

Sources

  • Lajes Field - Official 65th Air Base Wing Website