History of Horta

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Horta is inextricably linked to the Age of Discovery. Although the island of Faial had been sighted by navigators earlier, the official start of the settlement where the city now stands is considered to be 1467.

The settlement was founded by the Flemish nobleman Josse van Huerter. He arrived here with a group of settlers from Flanders with the permission of the Portuguese Crown. The name of the city itself — "Horta" — is a Portuguese adaptation of its founder's surname (Huerter). By 1498, King Manuel I granted the settlement the status of a "vila" (town), recognising its growing importance.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into a major Atlantic port was driven by several reasons:

• Ideal Harbour: The Bay of Horta, protected by a headland and the volcanic crater of Monte da Guia, is considered one of the safest and most convenient in the Azores.
• Strategic Geography: The city was situated at the crossroads of maritime routes connecting Europe with the Americas and India. This made it an indispensable stop for replenishing water and provisions.
• Political Support: Portuguese monarchs actively encouraged the settlement of the islands, offering incentives to colonists to secure the territory for the kingdom.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Horta was based on agriculture and trade. The first "golden" resource was woad (a plant used to produce blue dye), which was exported to Flanders and other European countries. Later, wheat cultivation was added to this.

The cultural environment of the city formed as a unique fusion of Portuguese and Flemish traditions. This blending of peoples was reflected in local place names, architecture, and family names. Religious orders played a significant role: the Franciscans and Jesuits founded their monasteries and colleges here, which became centres of education and culture on the island.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1467 — Flemish nobleman Josse van Huerter lands on the island and establishes the first permanent settlement.
• 1498 — King Manuel I grants the settlement the status of a vila (town) and establishes the local municipality.
• 1597 — An English squadron commanded by Sir Walter Raleigh attacks the town, burning many buildings and churches.
• 1833 — Horta receives city status (cidade) for supporting liberal forces during the Civil War in Portugal.
• 1876 — Construction begins on the protective breakwater and the modern commercial port.
• 1893 — The laying of the first submarine telegraph cable turns the city into a crucial global communications hub between Europe and America.
• 1919 — The American seaplane NC-4 lands in the harbour, completing the first transatlantic flight in history.
• 1939 — Pan American Airways makes Horta a regular stopover for its transatlantic Clippers.
• 1957 — The eruption of the Capelinhos volcano on the island causes serious destruction and a wave of emigration to the USA.
• 1976 — Following the creation of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Horta becomes the seat of the Regional Parliament.
• 1986 — The opening of the modern marina definitively secures the city's status as an international yachting capital.
• 1998 — A strong earthquake damages the historic centre, followed by a large-scale restoration programme.

Key Stages of Development and Their Impact on the City

The development of Horta has always been defined by its position "in the middle of the Atlantic". The city has repeatedly changed its economic and cultural profile, adapting to the needs of global trade and navigation. Here are the main milestones that shaped the modern appearance of the capital of Faial Island:

• The Era of Submarine Cables (from 1893)

  Turning the city into a global telecommunications hub was a turning point. The arrival of British, American, and German cable companies led to the emergence of a large foreign community in Horta. This radically changed the cultural landscape: unique architecture of the "colonist quarter" appeared, and the English language and social traditions, atypical for the rest of Portugal at that time, became widespread.

• The Golden Age of Hydroaviation (1930s–1940s)

  Becoming a base for the legendary Pan American Clippers, Horta gained the status of an elite transit point. Servicing transatlantic flights stimulated the development of the hospitality sector and infrastructure. During this period, the city hosted world celebrities and politicians, which cemented its reputation as a cosmopolitan centre.

• Industrialisation of Whaling (19th–20th centuries)

  For a long time, whaling was the backbone of the island's economy. The construction of processing factories (one of which has now been turned into a museum) created jobs and formed an industrial zone in the Porto Pim bay area. The transition from hunting to whale watching at the end of the 20th century became an example of successful ecological and economic conversion.

• Gaining Political Status (1976)

  After the Carnation Revolution and the creation of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Horta was chosen as the location for the Legislative Assembly (Regional Parliament). This decision brought administrative prestige to the city, new jobs in the public sector, and contributed to the restoration of historic buildings for government needs.

• Opening of the Modern Marina (1986)

  The construction of a specially equipped harbour finally formalised the city's specialisation as the "yachting capital" of the Atlantic. This not only attracted a flow of yachting tourists but also created a unique urban tradition: the waterfront turned into one of the largest open-air galleries in the world, where every crew leaves a painting as a memento.

Urban Development and City Appearance

The urban structure of Horta is dictated by the unique landscape: the city is laid out like an amphitheatre around two bays (Horta Bay and Porto Pim Bay), facing the neighbouring island of Pico. Historically, development progressed along the coastline, uniting the two original nuclei of the settlement — the parishes of Matriz and Angústias. A distinctive feature of local architecture is the extensive use of dark volcanic stone (basalt) in the framing of windows, doors, and building corners, creating the black-and-white contrast characteristic of the Azores.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The architecture of Horta reflects its role as a strategic port and a crossroads of cultures. Several key layers can be distinguished in the city's appearance:

• Military Architecture (16th–17th centuries). In response to frequent attacks by pirates and corsairs, a system of fortifications was created. Structures from this period are distinguished by their massiveness, functionality, and severity of form.
  Example: Fort of Santa Cruz (Forte de Santa Cruz).
• Religious Architecture: Baroque and Mannerism (17th–18th centuries). A period of active influence by monastic orders (Jesuits and Franciscans). Temples of this time are characterised by majestic facades, rich interior decoration with gilded woodcarving (talha dourada) and azulejo tiles.
  Example: Church of São Salvador (Igreja Matriz de São Salvador), Jesuit Church and College.
• "Telegraph Era" Architecture (Late 19th – Early 20th century). A unique period when the presence of foreign cable companies (British, German, American) brought elements of colonial style and eclecticism to the city. Residential quarters appeared with gardens atypical for the Portuguese tradition, along with buildings featuring Victorian architectural traits.
  Example: "German Colony" residential quarter (Colónia Alemã).
• Art Deco and Modernism (20th century). In the first half of the 20th century, on a wave of economic growth, public buildings appeared in the city featuring geometric forms and decorative elements characteristic of Art Deco.
  Example: "Amor da Pátria" Society building, Horta Market.

Iconic Structures

The city's appearance is shaped by several landmarks, each telling the story of its era:

• Fort of Santa Cruz (Forte de Santa Cruz). The main bastion of the city's defence, built in the 16th century. Today, it is a vivid example of adapting historical heritage: a hotel (Pousada) is located within the fortress walls, preserving the historical atmosphere.
• Clock Tower (Torre do Relógio). All that remains of the old main church, which was destroyed but became a symbol of the city's resilience. It towers over the centre as a reminder of the past.
• Peter Café Sport. Although the building itself represents a traditional urban structure, it is a cultural symbol of the city and a place of pilgrimage for yachtsmen from all over the world, preserving the spirit of 20th-century maritime voyages.

Prominent Historical Figures of Horta

The history of the city is rich with names whose influence extended far beyond the island of Faial. Among the natives and residents of Horta were statesmen, explorers, and patrons who defined the fate not only of the region but of Portugal as a whole.

• Josse van Huerter
  Founder of the city, first Captain-Donatary
  A Flemish nobleman who landed on the island in 1467. It was he who laid the foundations of the settlement in the bay, assessing its strategic potential. The name of the city "Horta" is a Portuguese adaptation of his surname.
• Manuel de Arriaga
  First President of Portugal, lawyer
  A native of Horta (1840–1917) who became a key figure in the fall of the monarchy. In 1911, he was elected the first President of the Portuguese Republic. His ancestral home in the city centre is now a museum.
• António José de Ávila
  Prime Minister, diplomat, Duke of Ávila and Bolama
  An outstanding 19th-century politician born in Horta. He headed the Portuguese government three times. He is known as the first person of non-noble origin in the country's history to be awarded the title of Duke for his services to the state.
• Charles William Dabney
  US Consul General, entrepreneur, philanthropist
  A representative of the famous American dynasty that lived in Horta in the 19th century. He served as consul for 45 years, contributing to the transformation of the port into a key hub for transatlantic trade and whaling.
• Florêncio Terra
  Writer, journalist, educator
  One of the most significant literary figures of the Azores at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In his stories and chronicles, he masterfully captured the daily life, traditions, and social changes in the lives of Faial's residents.
• Marcelino Lima
  Historian, publicist
  Author of the fundamental work "Annals of the Municipality of Horta" (Anais do Município da Horta). Thanks to his painstaking work in collecting documents and facts, contemporaries have a detailed understanding of the city's history from the moment of its foundation.