Category: Nature > Lagoon
District: Açores > Lajes das Flores > Fajã Grande
The Lagoa dos Patos, also known as Poço da Alagoinha or Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, is located in the parish of Fajã Grande, on the island of Flores, Azores. It lies at the base of a vegetated escarpment, where several waterfalls descend the slope and join before forming this calm body of water. The contrast between the verticality of the slopes and the serene surface of the lagoon strongly marks the local landscape.
It is sometimes associated with Fajazinha in informal descriptions or itineraries, due to its proximity and the network of trails connecting the two places, but administratively the lagoon belongs to Fajã Grande. This geographical proximity explains some of the confusion that is sometimes conveyed.
The Lagoa dos Patos is the result of the accumulation of runoff waters descending the steep slope. Several streams and small rivers converge at the base, creating a permanent basin fed by the island's frequent rainfall regime. The system remains stable, even with meteorological variations, thanks to the constant replenishment of water and the retention capacity of the surrounding vegetation.
The surrounding area is dominated by peatlands, dense scrub, and other plants adapted to humid soils, forming a microenvironment of great ecological importance. The interaction between water, relief, and vegetation cover is representative of the natural processes in the rainier areas of Flores, and the lagoon functions as a structuring element in the local hydrology.
The lagoon offers a visual composition where the calmness of the water reflects the green of the slopes and the sky, creating temporary symmetries and subtle changes according to the variations in light and cloudiness. The waterfalls do not appear as a single cascade but as multiple streams that disperse down the rocky face and combine at the base, adding dynamism to the scene.
The landscape is enriched by details: moss on the rocks, different shades of green, and the humid texture of the banks. The gentle and constant sound of water mixes with the vast silence of the place, interrupted only by natural noises such as the wind in the leaves and the occasional bird song. On foggy days, the environment gains additional depth, making the perception of space more intimate and mutable.
The space invites a serene presence. Observing the lagoon allows one to capture variations in the water level, reflections of the slopes, and the effects of light filtered by the vegetation. These details reveal the continuous relationship between the climate, geology, and biological elements of the site: the falling drops, the shimmering leaves, and the surface that changes with time.
Recording the place through photography, drawing, or annotation helps preserve not only the static image but also the feeling of what is experienced there, a moving landscape where a natural system in operation can be perceived. This slower observation allows for a refinement of the character of the place and its integration into the larger landscape of Fajã Grande.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.436836201449744,-31.238560130334427
Coordinates DMS: 39°26'12.6"N 31°14'18.8"W
Weather Fajã Grande
On-duty Pharmacy Fajã Grande
