Lagoa’s Whaleboats’ Houses

Set of warehouses, built by the end of the 19th century, and then owned by three whaling companies: Armações Baleeiras Liberdade Lajense, Estrela Lajense and Venturosa Lajense, consisting of three buildings that, during the whale hunting period, served the purpose of storing whaleboats, and their respective equipment.
The two story buildings were built in traditional stone masonry, plastered and whitewashed. On the ground floor there are large gates, through which the whaleboats leave, as well as the respective access ramp to the sea.
The Lagoa’s Whaleboats’ Houses are a testimony to the history of whaling with great heritage, and documental value. Today, these buildings are the headquarters of the Clube Náutico das Lajes do Pico.

Whalers Staircase

At the sound of the explosion of the firecracker, launched by the watchman at the top of the Queimada Lookout Tower, the whalers from Ribeira do Meio, Silveira, and other places, immediately interrupted their tasks and ran to the Whaleboats’ Houses, descending the stairs, currently known as the “Whalers Staircase”, at a fast pace, looking for a whaleboat that would take them to face the giants of the sea.