OLD CITY

Situated on a hill bordering the sea, between two rivers, Vila do Porto seems to consist of one long main street. But the city was historically divided into two parts and the one below the church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, which is older and goes down to the fort, has maintained the original layout of the medieval streets. Some houses still keep the memory of the past grandeur, like the beautiful facade of an old house with gothic windows, restored to become the new museum of Santa Maria.