Sao Jorge: Church Art, Mills and Trails

Sao Jorge brings together Baroque church art, historic mills, a bathing complex with a beach, and routes for walking and mountain biking. The town’s history can be experienced through its buildings and workplaces; experiences range from water-based activities to a moderately difficult hike and a mountain-bike trail rated very difficult. This range can help you decide what to focus on during your holiday: culture, water or activity can all play a role when planning your holiday apartment.

Church Art and the History of the Mills

The Igreja Matriz de São Jorge was built in the 17th century and is the largest Baroque church in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Its interior includes gilded Joanine Baroque wooden altarpieces and paintings on canvas. Its construction period and decorative features offer different starting points for a cultural-history focus. Alongside sacred architecture, the mills tell another side of the town’s history.

The Núcleo Primitivo de São Jorge preserves the ruins of former sugar-cane mills built at the beginning of the island’s settlement. Since 2003, the Núcleo has been classified as a monument of municipal interest. Here, historic structures and their remains take centre stage; the Moinho de Água de São Jorge, by contrast, still grinds grain. This makes it possible to distinguish the traces of former sugar-cane mills from a craft that continues to this day.

The history of the Moinho de Água de São Jorge goes back more than 300 years. Wheat, maize, barley and rye grown on São Jorge’s agricultural terraces are still ground there. Visitors can watch the mill in operation. At Serragem da Achadinha, it is the sawing process that takes centre stage: visitors can observe the water-powered sawmill in operation at close range. It is the only water-powered sawmill on Madeira that is still operational. Since 1998, Serragem has been considered a monument of local value by the Direção Regional dos Assuntos Culturais (DRAC) because of its cultural and historical importance. The mill and sawmill show two different uses of water-powered technology.

Water, Views and a Historic Lighthouse

The Complexo Balnear do Calhau de São Jorge is located at the mouth of the Ribeira de São Jorge. The bathing complex includes a small beach and three swimming pools; it also provides access to a freshwater lagoon. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose between the beach, pools and lagoon. This offers a different holiday focus from churches and mills.

From the Miradouro do Pico, you can see rugged mountains covered in lush green forests and the Atlantic Ocean. The Farol de São Jorge is 14 metres high and began operating in April 1959. The viewpoint and lighthouse add landscapes and a clearly dated historical landmark to the cultural and water-based attractions.

A Hike or a Mountain-Bike Trail

The PR 18 – Levada do Rei starts at the water treatment station in Quebradas, São Jorge. The hike is rated moderate and covers 5.3 kilometres, plus a further 5.3 kilometres for the return journey; the estimated duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes. For a different kind of activity, Down - São Jorge runs for 1.4 kilometres from São Jorge to Arco de São Jorge. The mountain-bike trail is rated very difficult. Comparing the two helps you understand their different demands: a moderate hike with a specified return distance and time is set against a short, very difficult mountain-bike route.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sao Jorge, your preferred holiday pace can be a good starting point. Consider whether church and mill history, water-based activities or one of the described routes should shape your stay. This way, you can begin choosing where to stay by thinking about the experiences you want to include in your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Porto Da Cruz, Caniço, Ponta Delgada, Prazeres, Machico, Vila Baleira, Serra De Água, Madalena Do Mar.

For the main travel overview: Madeira.