Casinhas

A lone chapel on the slope of Pico do Castelo, reached by a staircase from the place called Casinhas, near the Portela viewpoint. Founded in 1533, destroyed in 1812 and long in ruins, it was rebuilt by the islanders with materials brought from Serra de Fora; it holds a 16th-century Virgin from a Flemish workshop and often served as a refuge during pirate raids. Its feast, from 14 to 16 August, is one of the island's best attended: mass on 15 August, then an arraial with music, food and drink. It is also the passable end of the PS PR3 trail.