This issue commemorates the inclusion of Angra do Heroísmo (literally ‘cove of heroism’) on the World Heritage Site list in 1983. In spite of being a small city in the midst of the Atlantic, it features a large set of palaces, convents, churches and unique military fortresses, due to the importance of its port during the Portuguese trade with the East Indies.
Angra do Heroísmo is the oldest city in the Azores, founded about 1450 on the island of Terceira (so called because it was the third Azorean island to be seen by the Portuguese navigators). In the 19th century, Angra was the base for the progressive monarchists (supporting D. Pedro and his daughter Maria) to fight the absolutist monarchists (supporters of his brother D. Miguel) in the Portuguese Liberal Wars. After the liberal victory, as a recognition for the role of Angra in hosting and supporting her and her father, Queen Maria II added ‘do Heroísmo’ to Angra’s name.
The composite design of the stamps shows Angra, its bay and Mount Brazil (an extinct volcano). On the miniature sheet, the inscription above the engraving uses the early name of the island, stating “The city of Angra in the island of Jesus Christ of Terceira which is at 30 degrees”.
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- Map of Terceira (Jan Huygen van Linschoten, 1595)
The set was designed by Acácio Santos, with photos by Jorge de Barros, and issued on 4 June 2001. The Mint, in Lisbon, lithographed on enamelled paper 60 thousand miniature sheets and, on sheets of on 10×5 sheets with perforation 12×12½, 1 million stamps of 53$, 300 thousand stamps of 85$, and 500 thousand stamps of 140$.
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