Ribeira Grande () is a municipality in the northern part of the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese Azores. The population in 2011 was 32,112, in an area of 180.15&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The municipal seat is located in the civil parish of Matriz, with a population of about 4000 inhabitants, part of the urbanized core of what is commonly referred to as the city of Ribeira Grande (six civil parishes, about 10000 inhabitants).

History

thumb|235px|left|A view of the Port of Santa Iria, once the primary, and distant, waypoint for northern commerce

thumb|right|Vista of the interior of Ribeira Grande looking southeast towards the [[Água de Pau Massif|Água de Pau mountain world]]

The first settlers arrived on the island by the end of the second quarter of the 15th century. The expansion of settlement occurred after initiatives by the island's third donatary captain, Rui Gonçalves da Câmara (son of João Gonçalves Zarco, resulting in northern colonies from peoples from Madeira. On arriving, these colonists established their settlement along the ravine, which they eventually named after the river course: Ribeira Grande.

The construction of the isolated Port of Santo Iria began at the beginning of the 16th century. that included a league around the centre, counted from the [central] pillory, comprising one parish (called Nossa Senhora da Purificação or Nossa Senhora da Estrela).

From 1536, the monastery of Jesus was founded,

Since its formation the town employed a arruador, who was responsible for "designing" the grounds and roads and houses that were made. Pêro Teixeira, who died in 1555, was the first, and was succeeded on 9 February by his successor. At the time of Pêro Teixeira's death town records point to the existence of various roadways established under his authority: Ruas de João do Outeiro, Rua da Conceição, Rua de Lourenço Gonçalves, Rua da Bica, Rua do Santo Espírito, Rua de Francisco Gonçalves Cheira-Dinheiro, Rua das Pedras, Rua do Rosário, Rua de João da Horta and references to the cobble-stoning other roads. A large part of these roads continue in the current toponymy of the town. Similarly, the a clock was established in the tower of the church in 1555 and in 1578, a bell was installed in the municipal palace tower and a new butcher appeared, attesting to the development of the urban metropolo. In other parts of the municipality, such as Rabo de Peixe, its primitive parochial church was substituted by a larger three-nave structure, that presented an ornate painting of St. Peter attributed to Vasco Fernandes (1480-1543).

Between 1612 and 1626, the Convent of São Francisco was constructed, reflecting the importance of the northern community. But, nothing ever became of this project. During the intervening years the continuous growth and expansion of the burgh continued: this resulted in the construction of the Church of the Misericórdia (18th century); and need to construct a new link across the main ravine. It was during the 19th century, that the bridge of eight arcs () was completed, to complement the old one arch bridge at the main square.

  • Somerville, United States
  • Fall River, United States
  • East Providence, United States
  • Laval, Canada
  • Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cape Verde
  • Paul, Cape Verde
  • Porto Novo, Cape Verde
  • Ribeira Grande, Cape Verde

Architecture

Civic

  • Arquipelago Center of the Arts ()
  • Augusto César Ferreira Cabido Home ()
  • Estate of Boa Viagem ()
  • Estate of Mafoma ()
  • Estate of Nossa Senhora do Vencimento ()
  • Estate of São Sebastião ()
  • Judicial Court of Ribeira Grande ()
  • Lighthouse of Ponta do Cintrão ()
  • Municipal Palace/Hall of Ribeira Grande ()
  • Philharmonic Society Progressive of the North ()
  • Rabo de Peixe Fishermens' Barrio ()
  • Santa Bárbara Parochial and Social Centre ()
  • Theatre Ribeiragrandense ()
  • Thermal Springs of Caldeiras ()

Churches

  • Seventh-day Adventist Church of Lomba de São Pedro ()
  • Church of Espírito Santo ()
  • Church of the Divino Espírito Santo ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora das Dores ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias ()
  • Church of Santíssimo Salvador do Mundo ()
  • Church of Santos Reis Magos ()
  • Church of São Brás ()
  • Church of São Pedro ()
  • Church of São Pedro ()
  • Church of Senhor Bom Jesus ()
  • Convent of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe ()
  • Convent of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição das Vinhas ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Salvação ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Dores ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Rosário ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Fátima ()
  • Hermitage of Santa Luzia ()
  • Hermitage of Santo André ()
  • Hermitage of Bom Successo ()
  • Monastery of Nossa Senhora das Mercês ()
  • Passos da Via Sacra da Ribeira Grande

References

Notes

Sources

  • Photos from Ribeira Grande