Santa Bárbara () is a civil parish in the municipality of Vila do Porto in the Portuguese autonomous region of Azores. The population in 2011 was 405, in an area of 15.27&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

History

thumb|235px|left|A vintage photograph of the valley of Santa Bárbara circa 1903, when there were less homes in the valley

The settlement of this place originated sometime in the 16th century, since around 1584, the Bay of São Lourenço was identified as La Prainha, later referred to as the Villa da prainha. The settlers of Santo Espírito and Santa Bárbara originated from the rural areas of the Algarve and Baixo Alentejo, and can be verified from the topological influences in the rural homes and villages of the region.

As Gaspar Frutuoso noted: "The other [parish], of Santa Bárbara, is within the sierra, of the same band from Norte, a league and a half from Vila [do Porto]." Frutuoso went on to explain:

:"...it is a parish of 40 homes and 110 confessional souls, more or less; where the first curate Bartolomeu Luís, native of the island of São Miguel, of who I did not confirm the church, because he wanted a benefit in the Vila. And Amador Fernandes, native of this same island, was the first confirm vicar; the second was, José Gonçalves, who renounced the possession; and the present is vicar Manuel Fernandes, native of the same island of Santa Maria; in which parish live very honourable people."

The inhabitant settlements of the region formed from the distribution of its settlers, who occupied various places, some separated by large distances.

Gaspar Frutuoso noted that the history of these lands were influenced by its settlers and parishioners, including Father Ângelo Ângelo Soares da Câmara, who was responsible for the supporting the nascent communities, sacrificing his religious benefits to the impoverished in the region. At its time, the complex was built and operated by French military, who built a community that included not only the operational facilities, but residences and homes for its functionaries, that included streets, sports field and green-spaces. This landscape was formed from a partially destroyed caldera, resulting in its concave form oriented towards the sea, with terraces constructed along its exterior walls to support agriculture.

  • Hermitage of Jesus, Maria e José (), located on the northern edge of São Lourenço, the hermitage dates to the 17th or early 18th century, and was one of the first retreats on the island, and part of a former estate;
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Desterro ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Lurdes (), the isolated single-nave hermitage in the region of Norte, is known for its main altar, constructed using volcanic stone, resembling the grotto where the Marian apparition occurred in Lourdes, France;
  • Hermitage of São Lourenço ()
  • Império of the Holy Spirit of Santa Bárbara (), the small, unimposing or chapel dedicated to the annual celebrations of the Cult of the Holy Spirit, was dedicated in 1900, to replace existent temporary structures. The simple one-room space includes altar and space for the artifacts of the religious and ceremonial processions held throughout the period following Pentecost Sunday;

References

;Notes

;Sources

  • A website about Santa Bárbara