The Romeiros of Sao Miguel Azores

In 1522, a mudslide caused by an earthquake nearly buried Villa Franco do Campo on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel. In 1547, an earthquake rocked Terceira. In 1563, there were five violent earthquakes on Sao Miguel due to volcanic activities at Painha do Norte. Because of these and other eruptions and earthquakes, the villagers of the Azores took to the roads — not as refugees, but as Romeiros,