Almagreira: Beach, Geology and History

Almagreira on Santa Maria can be explored through the coastline of Praia Formosa and the parish’s architectural history. At the western end of the beach lie the ruins of the Forte de São João Baptista da Praia Formosa. The geological features of the south coast and traces of traditional land use are also among the themes that shape a trip to the island. The beach landscape, geology and history offer different perspectives on Santa Maria.

Praia Formosa and the South Coast

Praia Formosa lies on the south side of Santa Maria, in the parish of Almagreira. The beach is about one kilometre long and has light-coloured sand containing calcareous particles, a rare feature in the Azores. Clear, warm, shallow water also characterises this stretch of coast. The colour of the sand and the water profile represent two different aspects of the landscape: the light colour is related to the calcareous particles, while clarity, warmth and shallowness characterise the water. Praia Formosa is therefore distinguished not only by its approximate length, but also by the particular features of its sand and water.

Geology and Earlier Uses

The Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha Natural Monument lies on the south coast of Santa Maria and covers about 230 hectares. Pedreira do Campo combines rare submarine volcanic rocks with fossil-bearing marine sediments—a combination unique in the Azores. The protected area also includes the artificial Gruta do Figueiral. It points to an earlier use of local raw materials: clay for roof tiles and limestone for lime production were extracted there. The lime was used to build traditional houses on Santa Maria. The geological features and the human extraction of materials thus offer different perspectives on the landscape.

Buildings and Cultural Traces

The ruins of the Forte de São João Baptista da Praia Formosa are also known as Prédio Militar n.º 1/Vila do Porto, Castelo de São João Baptista and Castelo da Praia. The fort was built in a strategic position on the south coast to defend the area against the frequent attacks by pirates and corsairs at the time. Its history differs from that of the Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, also known as the Ermida de Santo Amaro: it was rebuilt in 1868, and its main façade faces the Miradouro da Praia Formosa.

Colours and building features also offer a glimpse into traditional architecture. In the Casa Típica de Santa Maria, houses are traditionally white. In the parish of Almagreira, reddish-ochre bands known as “vistas” frame doors and windows; the colour is called “vermelho-almagre”. On Santa Maria, pits dug into the ground for storing wheat are also part of the island’s heritage. They are commonly known as “atamorras”, “matamorras” and “matmorras”. These terms relate to another cultural theme of the island, though they are not exclusive to Almagreira.

Routes and Their Differences

The routes can be distinguished by their course and endpoints. The PR05 SMA Costa Sul connects Vila do Porto with Praia Formosa in the parish of Almagreira and ends at the Praia Formosa car park. It has been reported closed; therefore, check its current status before planning. The linear PR06 SMA Areia Branca connects Praia Formosa on the south coast with Baía de São Lourenço on the northeast coast. Percurso 51, by contrast, is an easy circular route. It runs along the western side of the island, where the terrain is flatter, and crosses the parishes of Almagreira and São Pedro. The routes therefore differ in several key respects: a named car park as the endpoint, a linear connection between two coastal points, or a circular route through two parishes.

Discover more destinations: São Pedro, Vila Do Porto, Santo Espírito.

Go to the main travel overview: Santa Maria.