History of Flores Island

The history of settlement of this place began during the Age of Discovery. Flores Island was discovered in 1452 by the navigator Diogo de Teive. According to legend, the island received its name ("Flowers") due to the abundance of yellow goldenrod that densely covered the coast at the time of the discoverers' arrival. The first colonization attempts were made by the Flemish nobleman Willem van der Haegen in the 1470s, but due to the territory's remoteness, a permanent settlement was only established in the early 16th century when Portuguese settlers arrived from the mainland.

Geographical location played a decisive role in the island's fate. Being the westernmost point of the Azores archipelago, Flores remained isolated for a long time from the active trade routes connecting Portugal with its colonies. However, it was this isolation and strategic location that made the island an important navigational landmark. Ships returning from the New World often used its high cliffs to correct their course before the final crossing to the shores of Europe.

The early period economy was shaped by limited resources and the mixed cultural heritage of the first settlers. The main occupations of the inhabitants were:

• Agriculture: cultivation of cereal crops (wheat and barley) for self-sufficiency and supplying passing ships.
• Collection of dye plants: harvesting woad (pastel) and lichen (orchil), which were exported to Flanders and used for dyeing fabrics.
• Livestock farming: raising sheep and cattle on the island's green pastures.

• 1452 — Navigator Diogo de Teive discovers Flores Island upon returning from an expedition to the shores of Newfoundland.
• Around 1470 — The Fleming Willem van der Haegen makes the first attempt to establish a colony but soon leaves the island due to its isolation.
• 1504 — The King transfers governance rights to Captain João da Fonseca, initiating the permanent settlement of the territory.
• 1510 — The formation of a permanent population is completed with the arrival of settlers from the northern provinces of Portugal.
• 1515 — The settlement of Lajes das Flores receives town status (*vila*), becoming the island's first administrative centre.
• 1548 — Santa Cruz das Flores also gains town status, contributing to the economic development of the northern part of the island.
• 1587 — During the Anglo-Spanish War, the island is attacked and looted by English privateers.
• 1862 — The Confederate ship CSS Alabama conducts raids in local waters, capturing and burning American whaling vessels.
• 1909 — The first radio station begins operations on the island, significantly improving communication with the outside world and navigation.
• 1962 — France begins construction of a ballistic missile tracking station, leading to the appearance of an airport and a hospital.
• 1966 — The official opening of the French military base takes place, which became the foundation of the local economy for decades.
• 1994 — The French contingent leaves the island, after which the economy begins reorienting towards tourism development.
• 2009 — UNESCO includes the island in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, recognising the uniqueness of its nature.

The development of the territory occupied by Flores Island has been defined for centuries by its strategic position in the centre of the Atlantic. Being the most remote part of Portugal, the island has journeyed from a navigational landmark for seafarers to a modern centre of ecological tourism. The main milestones of its formation are linked to external influence, infrastructure creation, and the reinterpretation of natural resources.

• The Whaling Era (19th–20th centuries). Close interaction with American whaling ships became a powerful economic driver. This not only ensured an influx of capital and technology but also formed lasting migration and cultural ties with North America, which influence the island's economy to this day.
• Establishment as a Communications Hub. In the early 20th century, the laying of transatlantic telegraph cables and the opening of radio stations turned the remote island into an important link in communication between Europe and America. This led to the creation of the first technical jobs and integration into international processes.
• Infrastructure breakthrough of the "French period". The placement of the French tracking base in the 1960s caused the most massive wave of modernization. Investments in the military facility allowed for the construction of a modern hospital, high-quality roads, and the establishment of a stable electricity supply, significantly raising the standard of living in the city of Santa Cruz and its surroundings.
• Opening of the airport and overcoming isolation. The launch of the airport was a turning point in urban planning and economic terms. The appearance of regular flights allowed for stable supplies of goods, the export of local products, and opened the region to travellers, ending centuries of detachment from the world.
• Introduction of hydropower. Utilizing the island's unique water potential (numerous rivers and waterfalls) for the construction of hydroelectric power stations was an important step towards energy independence. This engineering solution allowed the island to become one of the leaders in renewable energy usage within the archipelago.
• Reorientation towards eco-tourism. Receiving UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status defined the modern economic model. The focus shifted from traditional agriculture to sustainable tourism, which entailed the introduction of strict urban planning norms to preserve authentic landscapes and stone architecture.

The architectural appearance demonstrated by Flores Island was formed over centuries under the influence of the harsh Atlantic climate, isolation, and available natural resources. Unlike the opulent palaces of the mainland, restraint, functionality, and harmony with the volcanic landscape prevail here. Urban planning developed linearly along the coast, where the terrain allowed for the creation of safe harbours and settlements.

The island's main architectural milestones and styles can be divided into several key directions:

• Religious Architecture (Mannerism and Baroque). The most monumental structures on the island are Catholic temples. They are characterized by the "Azorean style": a contrast of whitewashed walls and dark basalt framing on corners, windows, and doorways.
  • A striking example is the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Santa Cruz das Flores. Its majestic façade with two towers reflects the influence of Baroque, adapted to local capabilities.
  • The former Franciscan Monastery of São Boaventura (now a museum) demonstrates the strict lines characteristic of Portuguese "plain architecture" (Arquitetura Chã) of the 17th century.
• Vernacular Architecture (Traditional Style). Traditional residential houses were built taking into account strong winds and humidity. These are squat rectangular buildings made of rough volcanic stone.
  • Walls were often plastered and whitewashed, leaving the stone masonry exposed at the corners.
  • Roofs were covered with red tiles, and chimneys had a specific shape resembling "hands," which became a hallmark of local ethnography.
• Impérios (Architecture of the Holy Spirit). Like all of Portugal, the island carefully preserves the traditions of the Holy Spirit festivals. This direction is characterized by small, brightly painted chapels — impérios. On Flores, they differ from their counterparts on other islands: they are stone structures on an elevation, often with an open-air altar or behind a grille, giving them a unique, almost theatrical appearance.
• Engineering and Lighthouse Architecture (19th–20th centuries). The development of navigation led to the appearance of iconic technical structures.
  • Albarnaz Lighthouse on the northwestern tip of the island is a classic example of lighthouse architecture from the early 20th century. The cylindrical tower and the adjoining residential complex for keepers became a symbol of safety for transatlantic vessels.
• Functional Modernism (Mid-20th Century). The period of the French military base's presence brought elements of modern urbanism to the island. A residential quarter for personnel was built with standard concrete houses, wide streets, and developed infrastructure, which contrasted sharply with the chaotic development of old fishing villages. This district introduced new standards of comfort and planning.

Today, the island's urban development is strictly regulated by its Biosphere Reserve status. Modern buildings are required to blend into the landscape without disrupting the historical panorama, while ancient mills and whaling factories are reconstructed, transforming into cultural heritage sites.

Notable People

The history and culture prized by Flores Island are inextricably linked with the names of brave navigators, talented writers, and early settlers. Despite its remoteness and small size, this corner of the earth has given the world several significant figures and has been the setting for historical events involving famous personalities.

• Diogo de Teive (15th century) — Discoverer and Navigator.
  A key figure in the history of the Azores archipelago. Being a squire to Prince Henry the Navigator, he discovered the western group of islands (Flores and Corvo) in 1452 upon returning from an expedition to the shores of Newfoundland. His discovery expanded the known boundaries of Portugal to the west.
• Willem van der Haegen (c. 1430–1509) — First Colonizer.
  A Flemish nobleman and merchant, known in Portugal as Guilherme da Silveira. He undertook the first, albeit not entirely successful, attempt to establish a permanent settlement on the island in the Ribeira da Cruz valley. His descendants became the founders of many noble Azorean families.
• Sir Richard Grenville (1542–1591) — English Vice-Admiral and Privateer.
  A legendary figure of the Elizabethan era. He died in the famous naval Battle of Flores, fighting alone on the ship "Revenge" against a superior Spanish fleet. This event off the island's coast is immortalized in the poetry of Lord Tennyson.
• Roberto de Mesquita (1871–1923) — Symbolist Poet.
  A native of the city of Santa Cruz das Flores. He is considered one of the most distinguished Portuguese symbolist poets. He lived his entire life on his home island, working as a modest civil servant, but his work, permeated with melancholy and Atlantic mists, had a huge influence on 20th-century literature, including the work of Fernando Pessoa.
• Pedro da Silveira (1922–2003) — Writer, Translator, and Researcher.
  Born in the village of Fajã Grande. Known not only as a poet but also as a meticulous researcher of the history of the Azores. He made an invaluable contribution to the study of the archipelago's cultural ties with the outside world and the preservation of local folklore.
• José António Camões (1777–1827) — Poet and Satirist.
  A bright and controversial personality of his time. Known for his sharp satire of the clergy and local authorities. His works are a valuable ethnographic source describing the life, customs, and social structure of society on the island in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.