Mosteiros is a civil parish in the municipality of Ponta Delgada on the Portuguese island of São Miguel in the Azores. The population in 2011 was 1,123, in an area of . It contains the localities Chã das Machadas, Lomba dos Homens, Lombinha and Mosteiros.
History
It was only around 1480, that the first people began to settle this part of the island, mostly by the maritime access, for many years. The community of Mosteiros was built on ancestral fishing for many years, even as its territory was cultivated by farmers.
The name Mosteiros, meaning monastery in the Portuguese language, refers to nearby islets: the largest of these islets is shaped like a church. As Gaspar Frutuoso noted:
:"Between the large islet and ponta Ruiva, by the cliffs, until the promontory of Escalvados, there are some large depressions and well made fumaroles, in the form of a church, or monasteries, or of both things, that older settlers called the monasteries [Mosteiros], situated on the fajã that ran from the peak in Sete Cidades".
Tourism
It is a very popular parish in the summer, both by residents of the island and by national and foreign tourists. Ideal place for those who love the coast and the sea, whether for bathing or fishing, or to kayak along the coast. There is also the Caminho Velho that connects Mosteiros (Lombas) to the Miradouro do Escalvado or the other that connects Mosteiros to João Bom do Pilar da Bretanha. Since 2016 it has been possible to take boat trips from the port and see whales and dolphins or visit the islets or Ferraria by sea. It is possible to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island. Local restaurants are in great demand for fish and seafood dishes. There are some snack bars in the area as well.
Economy
Fishing is still practiced with nets and also with handline method, and agriculture dominates in the interior, with herding of dairy cattle and the cultivation of some fruits and vegetables.
Culture
There is a music festival in Mosteiros, Festival das Marés, where Banda Fundação Brasileira organizes 3 days of music and even play with one of the guest artist. There is also another philharmonic band in Mosteiros, Banda Harmonia Mosteirense; in the past there was a rivalry between the two bands, something that has stopped and all are friends now. There is also festivities in honour of the patron saint that occur on the third Sunday of August.