Tide Pool

Category: Nature > Park

District: Açores > Horta > Varadouro > Poço de Maré

Location

The Tide Well is located in the locality of Varadouro, in the municipality of Horta, and is the origin of the name of the urbanization where it is situated. This site is part of a coastal area of Faial Island, standing out for its intrinsic connection to the sea and the volcanic environment that characterizes the Azorean landscape. Its presence reflects the historical importance of the coast for water supply in island communities.

A Unique Source of Life

A tide well represents an ingenious solution for freshwater supply on volcanic islands. Excavated near the coastline, these wells are designed to capture groundwater at the point where the mass of freshwater, originating from the island's interior, meets seawater. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the water level and salinity in the well vary with the tides. During high tide, the water level rises, and at low tide, it lowers, in a process that demonstrates the natural dynamic between groundwater and the ocean.

Heritage and Collective Memory

The Tide Well was not just a water collection point; it was a fundamental pillar of community life. In times past, the population would go to these wells to fetch water for consumption, to water animals, and to wash clothes. More than a mere resource, these places transformed into meeting and gathering points, where stories were shared and social bonds were strengthened. Today, the Tide Well remains a testament to the resilience and inventiveness of past generations, an element that allows us to understand the daily life and traditions of yesteryear on the island.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt