Category: Nature > Lagoon
District: Açores > Ponta Delgada > Sete Cidades > Lagoas das Sete Cidades
The Lagoon of the Sete Cidades caldera is located on São Miguel Island, Azores, specifically in the parish of Sete Cidades, belonging to the municipality of Ponta Delgada. The site is situated at the top of a vast volcanic depression, the Sete Cidades caldera itself, which impressively shapes the surrounding landscape. Its boundaries are defined by steep, verdant slopes, creating a natural amphitheater that embraces the lagoon.
This lagoon is a remarkable result of geological phenomena, formed over time by successive collapses within the volcanic caldera. It represents the largest natural surface freshwater reservoir in the entire Azores archipelago, extending over a considerable area and reaching significant depths. Its size, combined with the shape of the caldera, reveals the powerful natural forces that created it.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Sete Cidades caldera Lagoon is its peculiar dual coloration. It is divided by a narrow channel, crossed by a low bridge, which separates two bodies of water: one with a green hue and the other with a blue hue. This difference in colors primarily results from the depth and the reflection of dense vegetation on the more enclosed banks of the green lagoon, and the greater exposure to the sky in the wider blue portion.
The unique beauty of this color division inspired one of the most popular legends of the Azores. It tells the story of a forbidden love between a blue-eyed princess and a green-eyed shepherd. The tears shed by both, in farewell, are said to have given rise to the two lagoons with the colors of their eyes, imbuing the place with an aura of romance and mystery.
The area of the Sete Cidades caldera Lagoon is a natural treasure, classified as a Protected Landscape and integrated into the Natura 2000 Network. This status reflects its importance for biodiversity conservation. The site preserves traces of the archipelago's primitive vegetation, with endemic species like the cedar-of-the-wood and heather, which cover the caldera's slopes.
It is also a vital area for fauna, serving as a passage corridor for various migratory birds, including some endangered species. Furthermore, it hosts endemic Azorean birds, such as the Azores wood pigeon and the Azores goldcrest, which find a suitable habitat here. Various fish species inhabit its waters.
The scenery of the Sete Cidades caldera Lagoon invites tranquility and contemplation of nature. The caldera's slopes offer hiking trails that provide expansive views over the lagoon and its surroundings, allowing visitors to appreciate the vastness of the landscape. On the lagoon's banks, one can enjoy the serenity of the environment, with the possibility of engaging in water activities such as kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, exploring the distinctly colored waters up close.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.8549071,-25.7864499
Coordinates DMS: 37°51'17.7"N 25°47'11.2"W
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