Feteira (Horta)
Encyclopedia
Feteira is a civil parish in the southern part of the municipality of Horta
, on the island of Faial
in the Azores
. The population in 2001 is 1,612, its density is 110.3/km² and the area is 14.62 km². The name Feteira is derived for the Portuguese word for "fern", and indicates the "location of ferns"; the name likely refers to the original colonists discovery of an area covered with ferns.
The Church of Feteira, consecrated in honor of the Holy Spirit, is one of the older churches on the island. Although lost to history, its date of construction is currently unknown, although the first references to the sanctuary refers to 1562, when the local residents were forced to pay higher taxes to the parish. On June 30, 1568, King D. Sebastião passed a provision in favor of Feteira, related to new moneis to support the parish, resolving the ongoing problems with funds. The historian Gaspar Frutuoso
, referred to a church of three naves, supported by five columns and wood, with arterial chapels on either side. It was a temple of good proportions (35 m in width) with single bell-tower and nearby a 15th Century chapel. In 1597, it was sacked and burned by English pirates. The nearby chapel, of São Pedro, had been a place of pilgrimage during religious festivals, but, due to lack of attention and care, it was slowly abandoned.
Because of a history of piracy, the coast was monitored by small fort outposts: remnants of these forts have long since disappeared from the coast.
The fishery and paper industries have also supported the local economy. Yet, economic difficulties, in particular regional politics, have seen a decrease in people participating in these activities, since 1862.
Horta (Azores)
Horta is a single municipality and city in the western part of the Archipealgo of the Azores, encompassing the island of Faial. Horta has a population of about approximately 15,038 people and an area of 173.1 square kilometers. The population density is about 88 persons per square kilometer...
, on the island of Faial
Faial Island
Faial Island , also known in English as Fayal, is a Portuguese island of the Central Group of the Azores....
in the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
. The population in 2001 is 1,612, its density is 110.3/km² and the area is 14.62 km². The name Feteira is derived for the Portuguese word for "fern", and indicates the "location of ferns"; the name likely refers to the original colonists discovery of an area covered with ferns.
History
The early inhabitants colonized the area around Ribeira da Granja, along the coast near Lajinha and Ponta Furada. They built their first community along the coast, although on higher ground.The Church of Feteira, consecrated in honor of the Holy Spirit, is one of the older churches on the island. Although lost to history, its date of construction is currently unknown, although the first references to the sanctuary refers to 1562, when the local residents were forced to pay higher taxes to the parish. On June 30, 1568, King D. Sebastião passed a provision in favor of Feteira, related to new moneis to support the parish, resolving the ongoing problems with funds. The historian Gaspar Frutuoso
Gaspar Frutuoso
Gaspar Frutuoso was a Portuguese priest, historian and humanist from the island of São Miguel, in the Azores...
, referred to a church of three naves, supported by five columns and wood, with arterial chapels on either side. It was a temple of good proportions (35 m in width) with single bell-tower and nearby a 15th Century chapel. In 1597, it was sacked and burned by English pirates. The nearby chapel, of São Pedro, had been a place of pilgrimage during religious festivals, but, due to lack of attention and care, it was slowly abandoned.
Because of a history of piracy, the coast was monitored by small fort outposts: remnants of these forts have long since disappeared from the coast.
Geography
It is located 5 km west of the city of Horta, connected by the southern extension of the Regional Road E.R.1-1ª in the south and a northern municipal road closer to the interior. Farmlands dominate the coastal plain between the parishes of Angústias and Castelo Branco, and the coast is a rugged area mostly undercut by the Atlantic Ocean. There are several rivers and streams that bisect the parish that have supported the populations growth and agriculture over the decades. It is known for five bridges: São Pedro, Porceirão, Igreja, a second one in São Pedro (at the lower part of the parish) and Ponte Nova.Economy
Agriculture is the primary source of income. Historically, the parish has cultivated potatoes, supported orange and lemon orchards, as well as large quantities of wheat and corn. Documents for 1886 indicate a cultivation of 200,000 kg. of potatoes. Most of these crops were cultivated for export, although small itinerant banana fields were cultivated for local consumption. These continue to important crops, but currently, the cattle and dairy industry is generally accepted as the primary source of agro-business (although some lambs are raised).The fishery and paper industries have also supported the local economy. Yet, economic difficulties, in particular regional politics, have seen a decrease in people participating in these activities, since 1862.