Caldeiras in the parish of Furnas, considered the ex-libris of the municipality of Povoação, the Caldeiras in the parish of Furnas are certainly the most visited place in the entire Azorean archipelago, with the various phenomena of active volcanism contributing greatly to this attraction that are found in this location.

Medicinal muds are generally used for the treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, mainly those of allergic background, infections of the circulatory system, gastritis, depression and nervous erectism.

In this area you can see several springs of mineral carbonated waters and thermal waters, as well as discharges of hyperthermal waters associated with fumaroles, this fumarolic field being the one with the largest dimensions in the Azores.

Água Azeda do Rebentão: cold spring with an emergence temperature of 15.6 °C, acidulous. According to folk medicine, this water makes dandruff disappear and facilitates digestion.

Sour Water: spring has an emergence temperature of 15.9°C and acidic pH.

Água Miguel Henriques: spring with an emergence temperature of 21.1 °C and acidic pH.

Água da Prata: thermal spring with an emergence temperature of 34.4°C and acidic pH. Being used by the population for therapeutic purposes, namely in the treatment of eye allergies, also known as “Water of the Beautiful Eyes”.

Água do Rego: spring with an emergence temperature of 16.2°C and acidic pH.

Água Santa: thermal spring with an emergence temperature of 95.5 °C, very basic pH. According to folk medicine, this water mixed with honey, cinnamon and a little cachaça produces an excellent syrup for colds, laryngitis and pharyngitis and is where the locals make coffee and tea to enjoy.

Água do Caldeirão: thermal spring with an emergency temperature of 75.1°C, slightly gaseous. According to the folks, this water mixed with honey is effective in treating colds and coughs, including whooping cough.

Água Dr. Diniz: cold spring with an emergence temperature of 16.1°C and acidic pH.

Água Tio José de Sousa: Cold spring with an emergence temperature of 16.0°C and acidic pH.

Nascente da Ponte: source with an emergency temperature of 95.80°C.

Água do Padre José: has an emergency temperature of 55.4°C. According to folk medicine, this water relieves and cures “hangovers” and is also suitable for the treatment of cholesterol. At Chalet da Tia Mercês, you can see the thermal water of this spring turning your green tea into purple.

Caldeira Grande: fumarole with an emergence temperature of 99.5°C, basic pH. One of those with the highest temperature in the area was the boiler that supplied the old thermal center of Furnas.

Caldeira do Asmodeu: fumarole with an emergence temperature of 98.8°C, neutral pH.

Caldeira do Esguicho: fumarole with an emergence temperature of 98.0°C, basic pH. During the summer, the famous corn is cooked in the boilers. The sweet corn cobs are placed inside sacks and introduced into this boiler for approximately 1 hour.

Caldeira dos Vimes: fumarole with an emergence temperature of 70.0°C, acidulous. Boiler that comes from its name for formerly boiling wicker.

Caldeira Pêro Botelho: it is the best-known fumarole in Furnas for all the myths and stories associated with it. Also known as Boca do Inferno. Women from the village of Furnas used to make lyes in the Pêro Botelho boiler and the mud from the walls of this boiler was used for skin problems in the old thermal baths of Furnas.

The legend of the Pêro Botelho boiler:

In Furnas, for many years, lived a very bad-tempered man named Pêro Botelho.

Like many others in Povoação, he used to go and cook wicker and corn in boiling water boilers, the remains of volcanoes at the bottom of the parish.

One of these boilers, with a very dangerous access, contained a mud used in the cure of various diseases, namely rheumatism.

And once Pêro Botelho, who was going to get mud there, slipped and slipped through it.

Ah, it seemed that the strong smell of sulfur that exhaled there seemed to be getting thicker, as if that were the entrance to hell!

Pêro Botelho shouted loudly, but no one could help him.

And also no one else saw him after he had plunged into that immense caldera.

Only his screams echoed from time to time:

‘Get me out of here!’ Get me out of here!

From then on, if anyone approached near the boiler and called out to him, he would take a whiff of sulfur smoke and some rock from the bottom, mixed with mud the color of ash and smoke.

The people of Povoação began to call it Caldeira de Pêro Botelho.

OMIC – Microbial Observatory of the Azores

Opened on the 26th of July 2010 and integrated into the network of Science Centers in the Azores, the OMIC is a natural laboratory that aims to play a leading role in the investigation of microbial ecology, also ensuring the preservation of the important biodiversity existing in the thermal springs of Furnas. (Paid entry except children up to 3 years old).

On the way back to the car park, right at the entrance, you have the opportunity to enjoy the boiled corn cobs from Caldeiras or try the fresh Bolos Lêvedos.

Respect the safety rules, do not go beyond the protection barriers.