Achada – Sao Miguel Island – Azores
Achada, from the Portuguese for “flat-land”, is a civil parish in the municipality Nordeste on the island of São Miguel in the Azores.
The area is known as Achada, once referred to as Achada Grande, was originally populated in the first half of the 16th century. Its name was derived from the Portuguese phrase terra achanada which means flatland and was first mentioned by the historian Father Gaspar Frutuoso in Saudades da Terra. These lands were originally occupied and administered by Antão Rodrigues da Câmara, a descendant of the third Captain-Donatário of São Miguel, but were sold, then tilled and sold to other settlers.
By 1526 the village had its own parochial church to the invocation of Nossa Senhora da Anunciação (English: Our Lady of the Annunciation) were members of the religious orders resided locally. The temple was the result of various remodelling projects starting at the end of 1782 until 1984.
Since the 16th century, Achada has been a religious (later civil) parish, but it was only annexed into the municipality of Nordeste in 1820 (having previously pertained to the municipality of Ribeira Grande).
Economy
Its fertile lands, which extend the length of the Achada plain, have been the source of the region’s economy. Agriculture and dairy production is typical in this area, including cereal crops. A small port was commercially important until the 20th century when most exports were handled from Ponta Delgada. Today, potatoes and corn are principal crops cultivated in the area, where the harvested materials are used for feed in the raising of cattle.
Culture, Traditions & Tourism
Traditional festivals occur in the month of August and include a diverse program of events such as the traditional dances with native foods and drink. The primary events occur around the Império da Achada when the annual feasts of the Divine Holy Spirit are celebrated that include meat-broth soups accompanied with local wines, traditional sweet bread and sweet rice desserts.
