Perfect island destination for bird watching, relaxing and experiencing true island community life.
Corvo is the smallest island of the archipelago, a lump of volcanic land discovered in 1452, at the same time as the neighboring Flores island, and that settlers didn’t bother with until the mid-16th century. At that time, a group of slaves was sent to the island to farm the land and raise cattle.
You see, historically, the island seemed bound to be no man’s land, isolated, a resource that people think of last. Not even an island, an islet that people wouldn’t bother reaching. But the local population has done a great job telling people a different story. Resilience is not even a good enough word to describe this people’s capacity to endure and survive against all odds. The bonds that hold the community together are tight; well, to be honest, it couldn’t be any other way in such a small village.
The island might not be full of vibrant blue lagoons, and crystal clear brooks, and endless luscious green pastures, but that’s not why people visit. It’s the peculiarity of the small village, an improvised fortress with narrow streets, and the everyday life of an isolated community that makes people wonder “is it really possible to live like this?”
The food tastes better in Corvo, mostly because people live off the land and they’ve mastered the art of growing things organically. The “made from scratch” way of life is not a hipster trend over here, it’s a necessity and a skill.
Summer days are humid and lazy. Winters are harsh and always seem longer than they should. But the weather is just a detail; it doesn’t really matter once you’re in that islander mood.
To better understand the peculiarities of this island, take the time to visit the Environmental and Cultural Interpretation Center of Corvo.
[…] and waterfalls but it compensates in mesmerizing deep-blue-ocean bays, views to the neighboring island of Corvo from anywhere in the Northeast coast, pirate-story-worthy caves, a forest reserve with resident […]