About Pico de Ana Ferreira
Porto Santo island is a veritable golden oasis suspended in the Atlantic Ocean The geological phenomena that shaped the island have endowed it not only with an extensive sandy beach perfect for leisure activities, but also with striking rock formations of great significance and interest.
At 283 metres high, Pico de Ana Ferreira is the highest point on the western side of the island of Porto Santo. At its peak, a spectacular set of prismatic columns has formed, popularly known as the "piano", although it actually resembles the pipes of an organ more closely. This rock formation, which appears to have been carved by hand, was in fact created by volcanic activity and the slow cooling of volcanic magma thousands of years ago.
The best way to admire this geological masterpiece is from the Miradouro da Pedreira, an observation point relatively close to the Porto Santo Golf Club. Have you ever wondered why this peak is named after a woman? According to a popular legend, the name 'Pico de Ana Ferreira' is due to the existence of a cave, the Gruta de Ana Ferreira, which is said to have served as a hiding place for the illegitimate daughter of King João II. She lived there, out of sight of all the island's inhabitants, yet safe from the frequent pirate attacks.
Details
At 283 metres high, Pico de Ana Ferreira stands out for its striking set of prismatic columns, the result of the slow cooling of magma and a testimony to the volcanic phenomena that were instrumental in the formation of the island of Porto Santo.
