PORTÃO DO MAR

On the port, the "Gates of the Sea" are remarkable. The structure was built as part of the village's defense system, between 1797 and 1799, by Matias de Avelar, belonging to the famous family of "Arquitectos Avelares" or "Arquitetos Velenses" who, for more than 150 years, practiced their art on the island, producing some of its most emblematic architectural works. As was the case in those days, the walls of the port of Velas were closed by gates giving access to the mainland. This is all that remains of the defense system.