Azorean culture in Florianópolis

In the mid-18th century, thousands of Azorean immigrants arrived on Santa Catarina Island, according to Wikipedia. They brought their architecture, their religious life, fishing, cassava farming and a repertoire of stories that are still part of the city’s identity today. A native islander is affectionately called a manezinho.

Where to see it

• Santo Antônio de Lisboa: a parish founded in 1751, with a listed church and historic houses.
• Ribeirão da Ilha: colorful old houses along the South Bay.
• Lagoa da Conceição: the Avenida das Rendeiras (the lacemakers’ avenue) and the traditions of the old parish.
• Historic downtown: the Cathedral and Praça XV, where the town of Desterro was born.

Traditions

• Bobbin lace: a lace technique brought from Portugal and kept alive by the island’s lacemakers (rendeiras).
• Boi de mamão: a folk pageant typical of the Santa Catarina coast, comic in tone, featuring the death and resurrection of an ox, according to Wikipedia.
• Artisanal fishing: canoes, nets and fishing sheds at Armação, Pântano do Sul and Barra da Lagoa.
• Religious festivals: the feasts of the Holy Spirit (Festa do Divino) and of each parish’s patron saint are part of the local calendar.

Legends and witches

Tales of witches, folk healers (benzedeiras) and fantastic creatures came with the Azoreans and were recorded by Franklin Cascaes. They gave the island its nickname, the Island of Magic (Ilha da Magia).

At the table

Azorean cooking on the island revolves around fish, shrimp, pirão (a thick fish broth with cassava flour) and cassava flour itself. See where to eat.