Grass

Category: Nature > Park

District: Açores > Ponta Delgada > Ponta Delgada > São Pedro

Location

Relvão, formally known as Alameda Duque de Bragança, is located in the city center of Ponta Delgada, integrated into the vibrant São Pedro area. This green space is a central point in the locality's urban fabric, easily identifiable by its position and accessibility.

A Stage of History

This site carries with it a significant part of the history of Ponta Delgada and Portugal. In the past, it was known as Campo do Dízimo (Tithe Field), where inhabitants paid their tributes in corn. Later, it would be called Campo do Relvão (Relvão Field). However, it is an event on June 6, 1832, that immortalizes it: D. Pedro IV, a determining figure in the Portuguese liberal cause, reviewed the troops that had gathered in São Miguel. These soldiers would depart, shortly after, for the crucial military campaign of Mindelo, a landmark in the country's struggle for freedom.

Conception and Symbolism

Following the passage of D. Pedro IV, in 1833, the construction of an Alameda (promenade) was proposed on this site, which would later be named Duque de Bragança. This initiative aimed to perpetuate the memory of D. Pedro's presence on the island. A remarkable symbolic aspect is that the trees planted in the Alameda were conceptualized to represent soldiers in formation, in a perennial tribute to those who fought for ideals of freedom. Over time, Relvão consolidated itself as a pleasant public landscaped promenade, serving as a meeting point and leisure area for the population and visitors.

A Space Under Renovation

Historically, Relvão has been a dynamic venue, serving as a stage for various exhibitions and fairs, such as the important art and industry shows held in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More recently, it was a meeting place for the popular Feira de Traquitanas (Trinket Fair), which was regularly held there. Currently, this emblematic space is undergoing a revitalization process. The objective is to modernize and revitalize it, ensuring that it continues to offer a pleasant environment for leisure activities and sociocultural initiatives in the heart of Ponta Delgada, maintaining its importance as a historical landmark and a gathering space for all.

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