"The mountain of Pico has a triangular shape, whose base extends for about 40 km to finish in the celebrated cone, at 2351 meters of altitude.
The grandeur of the island is, above all, in the sublime appearance of its peak.
The peak of Pico, Azorean ex-libris, immaculate and solemn, precise, just like you, unique, attractive and majestic. A giant piercing clouds, a lava rocket in a burst of mystery.
Padre Coelho de Sousa, in an article published in the newspaper «A União»
At the top of the mountain, there are two peaks to consider: Pico Grande, from whose crater, with a rounded shape, Pico Pequeno rises, in a precious imitation.
In the middle of the island, Pico, wrapped in its gray mantle, takes on the majesty of the mountain God spoke to Moses.
Raul Brandão, in «The Unknown Islands»
The Pico Grande crater, known as «Eirado Grande», has rims about thirty meters high and, being almost circular, its perimeter will be around 700 meters(1). There rises Pico Pequeno or «Piquinho», which is 70 meters high.
The product of a ghostly volcano, the crater of Pico Grande has been inactive for as long as we can remember. Only Pico Pequeno throws, from time to time, a kind of «fumaroles».
(1) The average diameter of the crater (Eirado Grande) is estimated at around 230 meters. In its largest dimension, it will be around 300 meters.
One of the favorite walks, both for natives and visitors, is the ascent to the summit of Pico. From the top, on a clear day, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the sea and the other islands of the central group.
The island's silhouette, seen from afar, is not broken by the irregularity of the mountainous elevations that are on it.
Daniel Alvernaz, in an article published in «O Telegrafo»
After the strenuous climb, the travelers sleep on the slope, wrapped up in Furnas, already at an altitude of about 1500 meters.
In the sky, above the Pico caldera, an unusual event once took place. It was 1 pm on September 6, 1947. Then, an authentic cross of clouds formed, the lower part resting on the top of Pico. Many saw such an event, a sign from God to erect a cross there as imposing as the one formed by the clouds.
The sign was diluted and the cross, which many wanted to raise, was never more than an idea without being implemented. Despite everything, on August 15, 1953, a small bronze cross was implanted in Pico Pequeno, accompanying an image of Our Lady of Fátima, whose placement was promoted, in 1934, in Eirado Grande.
The mountain of Pico, however, became sacred. A Eucharistic celebration took place at the top, in the middle of the crater. Extraordinary day of faith, prayer, penance. More than three thousand people went up to Eirado Grande, August 15, 1954! The day that sanctified the mountain. The day on which the sacrifice of the cross unfolded there for the first time...
However, another eucharistic celebration, equally impressive, took place at the end of Pico, that is, at the top of Pico Pequeno. This mass was held on August 5, 1959.
Two celebrations will go down in the history of the island, although many others, after the first one, have taken place there. Pico, sacred mountain... where God also spoke, like Sinai...
Pico is a land of Christians, from the seafront to the highest point. There, everything speaks of spirituality, love, sacrifice and selflessness."
Author - Guido Monterey
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