Category: Culture and Entertainment > Swimming Pool
District: Açores > Ribeira Grande > Ribeira Grande (Conceição) > Caldeira Velha
Caldeira Velha is a Natural and Regional Monument located on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores archipelago. This site is specifically situated on the northern slope of Serra de Água de Pau, within the municipality of Ribeira Grande. The area, extending for approximately 13 hectares, is characterized by rugged terrain, with imposing escarpments and a deeply entrenched valley. Its altitude, close to 628 meters above sea level, gives it a distinct atmosphere and contributes to its natural richness.
Classified as a biosphere reserve in 2008, the Caldeira Velha area stands out for its ecological and geological importance, offering an immersion in a unique natural environment.
In the heart of Caldeira Velha, visitors can discover a set of four thermal water pools, inviting a relaxing experience amidst nature. The temperatures of these pools vary, ranging between 25ºC and 38ºC, providing different thermal sensations. One of the main attractions is the pool next to a waterfall, which creates a picturesque setting ideal for photographs. Although the water in this particular pool is cooler than the others, the contrast is noticeable. The waters have a brownish and orange hue, resulting from the natural presence of iron.
These mineral-enriched waters are traditionally recognized for their therapeutic properties. The depth of the pools allows visitors to stand or sit, facilitating a comfortable enjoyment of the experience.
The natural environment of Caldeira Velha is one of its most striking features, resembling an almost primitive landscape with its dense and lush vegetation. The site harbors a remarkable diversity of botanical species, including imposing tree ferns, acacias, and bamboos. Despite some presence of exotic species, it is possible to observe endemic Azorean flora, such as heather, St. John's wort, Azorean blueberry, and ivy, as well as native flora, such as Azorean buttercup and royal fern.
The area is also a refuge for various bird species, such as the kite, chaffinch, wagtail, and blackbird. In the waters of the stream that crosses the monument, the green frog can be observed, contributing to the local biodiversity. This natural heritage is one of the pillars of its classification as a biosphere reserve.
To complement a visit to the Caldeira Velha Natural Monument, there is an Environmental Interpretation Center, a structure designed for the valorization of natural heritage. The building was designed to integrate organically into the landscape, adapting to the existing vegetation and rock formations, almost as if it were part of the environment itself.
Inside the center, an interpretive exhibition invites visitors on a journey through the volcanic origins of the Azorean islands, with a special focus on the formation of Fogo Volcano. Information on biodiversity, geodiversity, and the geothermal phenomena of São Miguel island is provided, enriching the understanding of the natural dynamics of this unique site.
Caldeira Velha is a clear example of the geothermal activity that characterizes the island of São Miguel. The deeply entrenched valley harbors a fumarolic field and an iron-rich thermal spring, which flows directly from a fracture in the rocks. This spring, along with the visible presence of other calderas and fumaroles, demonstrates the intense energy emanating from the subsoil.
The water that feeds the thermal pools is naturally heated by the geothermal reservoir associated with Fogo Volcano, attesting to the volcanic origin and continuous geological dynamics of the island. There is a small trail, known as the Thermal Spring Trail, about 300 meters long, which allows visitors to approach the spring where the thermal water emerges from the earth.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.782090883333, -25.500478216667
Coordinates DMS: 37°46'55.5"N 25°30'1.7"W
On-duty Pharmacy Ribeira Grande (Conceição)
