Fajã do Ouvidor

The Fajã do Ouvidor is a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Norte Grande, in the municipality of Velas, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.HistoryThe fajã received its name due to its association with Valério Lopes de Azevedo, the magistrate/superintendent of the Donatary-Captain at the time, who was one of the principal property-owners.During the 17th century, a whale-watching hut was established on the flanks of the fajã in order to spot whales transiting the northern coast. Fisherman from Ouvidor and surrounding settlements would then leave their homes in order to hunt whales: due to the decline of whaling the outpost was abandoned.There is one religious meeting-point in the fajã: the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Dores, which dates to 1903, and includes old images created in the parish of Norte Grande.In 1948 a formal roadway was opened to the public, from the principal viewpoint to the coast.GeographyPhysical geographyThe fajã is known for the geological feature along the coast, including the many poças, or tidal pools . The lava fields generated many natural pools that support protected natural swimming areas, the largest being the Poça de Simão Dias. Simiarly, the fajã's coast is dotted by grottoes and coves, formed by marine erosion, including the Furna do Lobo, a cove approximately 50m long and only accessible by boat. Among the waterways that descend from the flanks of Norte Pequeno are the Ribeira da Casa Velha . the Grotinha do Furão and the Ribeira do Ilhéu, supported by two important springs: the Abelheira, situated alongside the roadway to Ouvidor, and the Caminho Velho on the otherside of the main square.