Outside the usual tourism routes, two islands without inhabitants continue to arouse interest, not by the amenities, but for their geological, historical and environmental characteristics. Despite their proximity to the European continent, these fragments of land remain untouched, surrounded by sea and mystery.
Located off the southern coast of Terceira Island, in the Azores, the Ilhéus of the goats form the largest set of islets in the archipelago. It should be noted that Ilhéu named a small island. Composed by Ilhéu Grande and Ilhéu small, they reach 147 and 84 meters of altitude, respectively. Its origin is linked to episodes of intense volcanic activity and later natural transformations.
From pasture to abandonment
According to the Vaga Mundos website, the name Ilhéus of the goats dates back to a period when the place was used for sheep and goat grazing. The scarce vegetation offered little in terms of food, but for decades the animals were kept there for the production of wool, mainly exported to the island of São Jorge, where traditionally produced blankets.
According to the same source, it is currently not allowed to dock or walk on the islets. This restriction aims to protect the area, which is part of the special protection zone of the Ilhéus das Cabras, with an extension of 29 hectares. Access is only possible by sea and under specific conditions.
Memory of an earthquake and echoes of war
The history of the Ilhéus also crossed with striking events. In 1980, an earthquake that reached Angra do Heroism caused the partial collapse of the small islet. Its shape has been permanently altered. The Picos de Adventure website writes that there are reports that during World War II, a German submarine will have sought refuge between the two islets, taking advantage of the depths of local waters.
It refers to the same source that the islets are geological traces of underwater eruptions, in which the Basaltic lava contacted with seawater, giving rise to coastal cones. These, in turn, were shaped by erosion and seismic activity of the region.
Marine poultry refuge
The ecological importance of the zone is not limited to its geological formation. Explains the vacancy worlds that the islets act as a nesting site of various protected seabed species. Among these are the cagarars, the guarantejaus-roosados, the Commons Garajaus, the gray herons and various species of seagulls.
It adds the publication that the surrounding maritime area is equally rich in biodiversity. Handy rays, porpoises and even sea turtles can be seen in the submerged caves surrounding the islets. These conditions make the place in one of the most sought after points by nature tour operators.
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Conditioned access but possible
According to Azores Adventures Futurismo, the best way to visit the Ilhéus is through a boat trip from the port of Angra do Heroísmo, about 10 kilometers. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes and offers panoramic views on the southern coast of the third and the two rock formations. However, note that it is not possible to disembark on these islands, and you can only observe them closely from the boat.
It underlines the same source that the visits are conditioned and the tours must be marked in advance, given the status of protected area. The boarding is usually carried out next to the parish of the Feteira, being accessible per car, motorcycle, taxi or bicycle.
From the sea to the viewpoint
For those who prefers to keep their feet on land, the Cross of Canary’s viewfruit offers one of the best perspectives on the islets. According to the site, this point of observation allows you to better understand its size and the landscape frame.
According to the same source, the islets appear in Morgado bay as two escaped blocks, separated from just over 70 meters. Its robust and close appearance inspires the designation of “twins”, even if they are different formations.
Literary echoes and permanent protection
The symbolic value of the Ilhéus was also recognized by the literature. Vitorino Nemésio, a native of the third, referred to them as “the statue of our loneliness”, alluding to their isolation at sea and the emotional burden they represent to the local inhabitants.
It is also known that the goats is one of the most photographed landscapes of the third. Its inclusion in the Natura 2000 network and the list of areas with controlled access underlines the need to preserve both habitats and the collective memory they represent.
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