Travel in Corvo - Portugal - History

Corvo (Azores Islands) - History

Discovered at the same time as the island of Flores, its settlement started at a later date, about the middle of the 16th century. Its small size and isolation, caused by the lack of a safe port, which prevented coats from calling there during part of the year, led to the development of a pastoral society with characteristics of its own which, although with some changes, has continued until the present time.

The town's narrow alleys terminating in unexpected cul-de-sacs and abrupt turnings were purposely planned. Like Flores, Corvo was visited often by marauding bands of pirates, and the constricted streets enabled the population to better defend themselves against invaders.
Throughout Corvo's history, the people have always lived in the town and their numbers have never exceeded one thousand. Legend tells of a time when circumstances were such that the population was about to approach that magic number. To bring about this great event, messages were sent to Flores and other islands telling Corvo's emigrants to temporarily return.
As the numbers mounted, there was enormous excitement and a magnificent festival was planned to celebrate the glorious moment in the island's history. But it was not Corvo's fate to have the pleasure of enjoying this fabulous happening. At nine hundred and ninety nine, it was necessary for two members of a family to leave because a relative was dying on another island. Afterward, the number of persons slowly dwindled away and all the great plans were given up and forgotten.

The arrival of American whalers in the Azorean waters at the end of the 18th and 19th centuries brought a new factor to the local economy, through the recruitment of its men known for their bravery, as crew members, and also through the encouragement given to emigration, which reached high rates. In the only village on the island, community life still keeps to traditional standards, though the improvement in communications has contributed to increasing the welfare and progress of the population, namely the recently built airport for small planes.

Mouzinho da Silveira, who in a few months drew up legislation that profundly changed 19th century society and formed the basis of contemporary Portugal, was on Terceira in 1832 with the liberal forces that were fighting against the absolutists. In May of that year he received the visit of a group of inhabitants of Corvo, who arrived in a fragile boat, and asked him for a reduction of the heavy tax that was reducing them almost to the condition of slaves and was forcing them to eat black bread made from sedge (a grass-like plant, the roots of which were used for flour). The tenancy payment in wheat was reduced by half and the tax in money was eliminated.

Fire telegraph. For centuries communications with the neighbouring island of Flores at times of crisis ware assured by lighting bonfires on the top of a hill. According to the number set, they meant it was necessary to send a doctor, a priest for the last rites, a christening or a marriage, or food or other essential goods and services.

The smallest town in Portugal. A borough since June 1832 - another favour granted by Mouzinho da Silveira - Vila Nova do Corvo is proud of being the smallest and least populated town in Portugal, with slightly more than 300 inhabitants.

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