Azores Government inaugurates the Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo Support, Accommodation and Rest Zone

Aug. 8, 2022

The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, inaugurated last Friday, on São Jorge, the Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo Support, Accommodation and Rest Zone. A set of infrastructures that allow the Accommodation, support and well-being of the visitors of the remarkable place of the Azores.

According to Alonso Miguel, “the Caldeira de Santo Cristo is a special place, a magnificent natural heritage, classified as Protected Landscape Area, integrated into the São Jorge Nature Park, and as a Special Conservation Area, within the Natura 2000 network. It is also a RAMSAR Site, a priority geosite with national and international relevance within the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark and a Nucleus Zone of the Fajãs de São Jorge Biosphere Reserve”.

"With all this framework, it is natural to be a place with major search and numerous visits. It is, therefore, crucial to find a balance between the socioeconomic development interest and the serious concerns of conservation of nature and the ecosystem that exist there", said the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change.

As stated by the governor, "within the scope of the project, two distinct areas were created, divided by the watercourse that crosses the land. The first composed of a building, duly integrated with the landscape, which includes a reception, bathhouse, children's playground, barbecues and a picnic area, along with a set of support infrastructures, and the second area where the pavements were shaped and grassed to improve the conditions of usufruct".

“To the north of the land, an amphitheatre with three grassy levels was created, which will allow various activities to take place, as well as greater use of the area intended for camping,” he said.

The governor also noted that the building created “presents its own architecture, inspired by the old houses of the boats existing on this fajã, thus recovering the memory and identity of the place”.

The Regional Secretary highlighted that the project represents “an investment of the Regional Government of about 400 thousand euros, co-financed by PO 2020, implemented by Calheta City Council, under an ARAAL contract", allowing to achieve "an old expectation of the population, responsibly dignifying that space and framing it with the environmental concerns that this site requires”.

“The completion of this project represents the implementation of one more of the measures included in the Fajãs da Caldeira de Santo Cristo e dos Cubres Management Plan, which aims to establish a set of actions that allows more careful management of the use of space and resources. It also intends to provide these territorial units with a set of infrastructures to improve the conditions of residents, owners and visitors,” concluded Alonso Miguel.