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Faial played an important historical role as a stopping point between Europe and the New World. Whaling ships paused for resupply and took men along with them when they departed, building immigrant communities in North America. Steamships rested here to take on new supplies and provide a respite for their hardworking crews. Seaplanes landed here regularly in the early days of aviation before advancements in fuel conservation allowed nonstop crossings. These old reasons to stop on Faial have been overtaken by technology and yet this remains a prosperous and popular destination.
There’s more to view in Horta than just the waterfront. It is a very walkable town with many places to stroll and explore at a leisurely pace. A pleasantly landscaped town square provides a place to stop for awhile and appreciate a remarkable selection of pastel colored homes, shops and municipal buildings.
A cat lounged on the windowsill while the family’s laundry dried on this bright spring day. The cat had the right idea, catching gentle ocean breezes and soft sunlight without a care.
This is an architectural detail from Horta’s Igreja Matriz de Sao Salvador (the St. Salvador Main Church) built originally in the 17th Century, just one of the many interesting and historic buildings encountered while wandering about town.
A busy shopping street is situated just off the waterfront. The cobblestone road adds to the ambiance. The ancient lineage of this avenue is readily apparent because nobody would build a road today that is barely wide enough for two cars to pass.
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![[Horta Public Square]](../../graphics/travel/portugal/faial_horta_town_square.jpg)
![[Lounging Cat]](../../graphics/travel/portugal/faial_horta_cat.jpg)
![[Igreja Matriz de Sao Salvador]](../../graphics/travel/portugal/faial_horta_sao_salvador.jpg)
![[Horta Shopping Street]](../../graphics/travel/portugal/faial_horta-2.jpg)