Surrounded by mountains, next to the sea, lies the beautiful and enigmatic Ribeira Quente, a quiet place where Mother Nature is omnipresent. This locality is composed by two distinct areas: Fogo, where farmers represent 21% of the active population and practice subsistence farming on the surrounding lands; and Ribeira, where the community of fishermen is concentrated around the harbor, representing about 42% of the active population. Among the fishing community, 27% are young people, which shows the importance of the fishing activity in this parish. This sector is highly promising, which is why large investments where made in the port, turning it into one of the best of the Azores.

The parish of Ribeira Quente gave up a few years after Furnas, from fishermen and vine pruners . The old access road dates back to the reign of King Michael, but was complemented with binding Furnas completed in 1940, which included the two tunnels built in the Previous decade .

Geographically, the port of Ribeira Quente, built on the southern coast of the island, is one of the most beautifully situated ports of São Miguel, not only for  its sheltered conditions, but also for its proximity to important fishing spots, with about 100 fishing permits issued. The port is also an important mark for tourism development in the parish, much sought-after for nautical activities, like whale watching and sport fishing.

What’s more, a boulevard facing the sea skirts Ribeira Quente for over 1km, being one of the most pleasant areas of the village and a precious beach attracts thousands of visitors every year.
 
Ribeira Quente was designated as parish on 24 June, 1943. The toponym Ribeira Quente derives from the stream of hot water that flows in this parish.

What to see in this parish:

* Church of São Paulo
Built in 1911-1917, replacing the former chapel of São Paulo, which had been gradually degraded by sea erosion. The only original part is the chancel, located on the right side of the church.



* Chapel of Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos
In Agrião, the owners of the property with the same name,  held a small house of prayer invoked to Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos, to ask help during the difficult times passed in a still uninhabited land with little resources and practically no outside help. 



* Niche of Santa Rita
Before being destroyed by an earthquake, a hermitage invoking Santa Rita used to stand on this location. Today, the old chapel was replaced by an altar for the original image of Santa Rita. It is located on the Agrião hiking trail. The original chapel was built in the 18th century and was subsequently rebuilt and inaugurated in 1982.



* Sede of Mordomia
Sede of Mordomia is associated with the festivities in honor of the Holy Spirit, for the storage of utensils used in the confection and distribution of soups and other traditional dishes of those festivities. It is located on Rua da Trincheira.



* House of the Holy Spirit - Império de Pentecostes
The House of the Holy Spirit is located on Rua do Castelo and is associated with the festivities in honor of the Holy Spirit, used for storage of utensils employed in the confection and distribution of soups and other traditional dishes of those. It is located on Rua do Castelo.



* Fountains
The fountains played a very important role in people's daily life. In a not too distant past, there were no sources of tap water to supply several localities. In Ribeira Quente there are two fountains:

1. Located in Largo da Igreja. The façade is inscribed with the Roman numerals "MCMXCIII". The frame and top ornament are carved in basaltic rock. 
2. Located between Rua dos Moinhos A and Rua dos Moinhos B. The façade is inscribed with the Roman numerals "MCMXCIII". The ornamentation is made in basaltic rock.

 

* Taillight  of the harbor of Ribeira Quente
Taillight  located on the breakwater of harbor. It was built in 2003 and its lighting reaches five miles . This structure provides assistance to local navigation.



* Viewpoint of Ribeira Quente
Located on the Regional Road, on the entrance  of the parish. From here, one can see the parish of Ribeira Quente and the sea  on the background.
 


* Picnic Park of Estrada Regional da Ribeira Quente
1. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.
2. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.
3. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.
4. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.
5. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.
6. Picnic area located on the edge of the Regional Road equipped with grills, tables and benches in stone.

* Fogo Beach
Supervised beach, located in Zona do Fogo, with about 400m of fine sand in extension, where underwater hydrothermal sources heat the seawater, especially in the late afternoon and evening. It is bounded by a sea cliff formed by pyroclastic materials, notably pumice. It is the most noted and popular beach in the municipality of Povoação, equipped with restrooms, showers, a bar and car park.



* Ribeira Quente Harbour
Ribeira Quente Harbor is one of the most beautifully situated harbors of the southern coast of São Miguel, not only for its sheltered conditions, but also for its proximity to important fishing spots.




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