Corvo turned inside out
Formerly known as the São Tomás island and affectionately designated by some "corvinos" (the name was given to the people from this island) the smallest, the Corvo island, which was the last island to be populated, captive by its smallness, simplicity and quietness. At Corvo island, everything is unique, from the houses of its picturesque village, which invites you to wander through its alleys, to the lush crater at the top of the island. The windmills and its handmade crafts are also unique things at the archipelago, as well as its traditional cheese and the particular pronunciation of its natives. Its an island of legends, myths, and isolation. Corvo presents a very own idiosyncrasy that must be respected, felt and experienced closely in this peculiar universe full of pleasant surprises and simple/genuine people. In Corvo, one feels the true Azorean insularity.
WOOD SECRETS
A visit to Mr. José Mendonça de Inês is mandatory since the wooden locks (1) are an icon of Corvo and an authentic work of art. Each model is unique and takes a day to do. They are handmade locks created with a razor, and they are composed of 6 pieces of wood, presenting several models and numerous secrets, deciphered by the respective key.
WOOL PEARLS
At woolen bars (2) are another icon of the Corvo island, if not the most well-known one. They are made by Mrs. Inês de Inês, which by coincidence is the wife of the artisan that creates the wooden locks. The traditional and classic ones are dark blue but there are also different colors, patterns, and sizes. They were originally made with wool from the many sheep that existed on the island. The story tells us that the people from Corvo that used to embark on the whales would have learned this art from the Scottish people and then passed it on to their wives and daughters.
BETWEEN WINDMILLS AND WHALE MEMORIES
This Traditional Pepper called "Pimenta da Terra" Boat House (3) is a small museum that, along with the three recently restored windmills (one of them you can visit), is a pioneer in the recovery of Corvo island collective memories. There are different testimonies that intend to give an image of the recent past of the island and the life of the natives. The whaling canoe makes us travel to the time when fishing to the sperm whale was allowed, gathering everything that is linked to this art. Alongside this collection, a valuable photographic collection of Prince Albert I of Monaco gives us an image of the local and archipelagic reality between the late 19th/20th century.
SEA BATHS AT SUNSET
This Traditional Pepper called "Pimenta da Terra" Praia da Areia (4) is a must-see spot for those who visit the westernmost island of the archipelago. It is the only sandy beach of the island, with a privileged view to the west, and allows you to enjoy refreshing and rejuvenating dives, with a taste of peace and silence.
FLAVORS FROM CORVO
The gastronomic experience on the Corvo island passes through the fresh fish, the grasshopper (which is caught in the pebble beach in January/February and with which are made pies) and the delicious cheese from the island with its characteristic flavor, especially with longer healing time. The traditional Hole Spirit soups are also a must-have gastronomic experience and can be enjoyed in May/June.
Sara Nóia
