The Gruta do Carvão (Grotto of Coal) is an ancient lava tube located on the outskirts of the municipality of Ponta Delgada (in the civil parish of Santa Clara) on the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Visitors within the accessible area of the grottoGaspar Frutuoso, the 16th century chronicler and historian wrote:
"Afar, a short way from the Fortress, going west, is a place called Ponta dos Algares, because there are two grottos with their opening, inside which there is a large underground path where rivers of lava seeming to have run in ancient times, not known nor seen."[1]Owing to its scientific, educational and touristic relevance, as well as its natural characteristics, the Gruta do Carvão was classified as a Regional natural Monument by Regional Decree 4/2005/A on 11 May 2005.[1]
^ a b Amigos dos Açores (2015)
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