The Relheiras de São Brás combine rural history with nature on a circular trail. Tracks carved into the rock tell of years of intensive traffic by ox carts; at the same time, most of the route passes through the Biscoito das Fontinhas forest area. Visitors who choose S. Bras on Terceira encounter different aspects of the place: visible traces of past use, designated nature areas and cultural traditions.

Forest, plants and tracks in the rock

The Biscoito das Fontinhas forest area is classified as a protected area for the management of habitats or species. The circular trail passes through the São Brás picnic park towards the forest garden for native species. The route also includes a corridor marked with endemic plant species. These stops give the nature theme different emphases: forest, native species and plants characteristic of the region.

Along the trail, mature stands of eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus globulus) and Japanese cedars (Cryptomeria japonica) provide an important habitat for a variety of endemic Azorean invertebrates. The forest section is also a nesting site for the Azores wood pigeon (Columba palumbus azorica). This information also makes the circular trail interesting for visitors who want to take in the native flora and fauna alongside the landscape during a walk. It does not imply that any particular animal will be seen.

The Relheiras themselves are more or less deep and wide grooves in the rock, formed by years of intensive traffic by ox carts. They make the trail’s past use immediately tangible. The Fonte do Cão, a site of historical and cultural interest, is also on the route. Nature and history are not separate themes here: the trail passes through both forest and a plant corridor, as well as by traces of past use.

Architecture and rural history

There are also ways to connect with the history of the parish and Ramo Grande in the village itself. The Centro Interpretativo de Cultura Rural do Ramo Grande in São Brás is a sociocultural and tourism facility. It presents the history of the parish and the entire Ramo Grande area. Well-preserved examples of Ramo Grande architecture can be seen in São Brás. Together, the interpretation centre and the buildings offer two different ways to explore the rural heritage: through the history of the area and through a building tradition visible there.

Another specific part of the village’s history is the Associação Império de São Brás on Largo da Igreja. It was founded in 1875 and rebuilt in 1956. The site is in the parish of São Brás, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória on the island of Terceira. The two dates distinguish the founding from the rebuilding and place the history of the Império in context.

Bodo tradition and local food

The Bodo tradition also brings a culinary aspect to a visit. At the Bodo Sunday festival in the churchyard of São Brás, visitors are served a variety of petiscos, Massa Sovada and wine. The recurring Divino Espírito Santo tradition includes two Bodo Sundays: after the solemn coronation Mass, bread and wine are blessed and then distributed to everyone present. The food served at the festival is therefore distinct from the blessing and distribution that are part of the custom. If you plan to time your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

S. Bras offers several different points of interest for planning a trip: a circular trail focused on nature and culture, rural architecture and history, and a festival tradition that includes food and communal customs. Whichever aspect appeals to you most can help guide your search for a suitable holiday rental in S. Bras.

Discover more destinations: S. Bento, Serreta, Porto Judeu, Santa Barbara, S. Sebastiao, Fontinhas, Terra Cha, Ribeirinha

Go to the main travel overview: Terceira.