São Caetano

São Caetano is a civil parish in the municipality of Madalena along the southwestern coast of the island of Pico, the Portuguese Azores. The population in 2011 was 480, in an area of 23.88 km².HistoryThe settlement of the region of São Caetano began with natives from the north of Portugal, after a period of settlement in Terceira and Graciosa, that included many slaves and Africans. These first settlers were devoted to the Saint Caetano, including Father Vicenza, and Francisco Pires of Flores, who ordered the construction of the first hermitage to the saint. During this period, it was part of the settlement of São Mateus, founded in 1482.In the early period of discovery, the island of Pico was to have its own Captain-Donatário, Álvaro de Ornelas, but never achieved this position, owing to the island's incorporation in the Captaincy of Faial and Pico, under Josse de Huertre's administration.Initially, oriented to the cultivation of wheat and corn, while exporting woad, over time the population began to cultivate vineyards and began fishing.The parish of São Caetano is also known as Prainha do Sul or Galeão, in honour of Garcia Gonçalves Madruga who built here in the 16th century, as payment to King John III, for his debits.Another point of interest occurred during the construction of the parochial church, by Manuel da Silveira de Melo; there was a shortage of timer, which greatly retarded the construction of the church, also aggravated by a strong storm that affect the entire island. At the same time a ship wrecked laden with wheat and timber, which ended-up being used for the construction of the parochial temple. The local populous attributed these to acts of God and a miracle, owing to the fact that it occurred at timely point the parish's life.