World Heritage Identification Number: 1117
World Heritage since: 2004
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Agriculture Landscapes, Parks & Gardens
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇵🇹 Portugal
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture: A Unique Cultural Landscape in the Azores Archipelago
The Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, offers a unique insight into the rich cultural history of the Azores archipelago, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. This remarkable human-made landscape, covering an area of approximately 987 hectares, is situated on the volcanic island of Pico, the second largest island in the archipelago.
The distinctive feature of this cultural landscape is the intricate network of basalt stone walls, known locally as "muros" which crisscross the island. These walls serve a dual purpose: they protect the thousands of small, contiguous, mostly rectangular plots, or "currais," from the harsh winds and salty sea air, while also demarcating individual vineyard parcels. These currais are often remarkably small, sometimes measuring only a few square meters, and are meticulously oriented to maximize sunlight exposure while trapping heat within the volcanic stone.
The origins of the vineyard culture on Pico Island can be traced back to the 15th century, making it one of the oldest continuous viticultural practices on the Atlantic islands. The practice reached its height during the 19th century, a period reflected in the construction of grand manor houses, or "casas senhoriais." These structures, along with traditional wine cellars known as "adegas", served as symbols of the flourishing wine trade that once supplied the tables of European monarchs and international markets.
The extraordinary value of the human-made landscape of the site lies not only in its architectural elements but also in its integration with the natural environment. The currais are interspersed with houses, early 19th-century manor houses, wine cellars, churches, and ports, all harmoniously blending into the rugged volcanic terrain. The result is a breathtaking tableau that showcases human ingenuity in shaping a hostile environment to meet agricultural needs.
One of the most striking aspects of the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture is the continued use of traditional techniques in wine production. The grape variety Verdelho, introduced to the island in the 15th century, has historically played a central role in Pico’s wine production and continues to be cultivated today, alongside native varieties like Arinto dos Açores and Terrantez do Pico. While modern techniques are now widely employed, elements of traditional vineyard management and harvesting remain an important part of the site’s cultural identity, contributing to Pico wine’s distinctive mineral-rich, high-acidity character shaped by volcanic soils.
In summary, the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture stands as a testament to the resilience of the Azorean people. Its unique network of basalt walls and currais offers a captivating glimpse into a sustainable, centuries-old relationship between humans and nature, preserving an exceptional cultural landscape for future generations.
UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The 987-ha site on the volcanic island of Pico, the second largest in the Azores archipelago, consists of a remarkable pattern of spaced-out, long linear walls running inland from, and parallel to, the rocky shore. The walls were built to protect the thousands of small, contiguous, rectangular plots (currais) from wind and seawater. Evidence of this viniculture, whose origins date back to the 15th century, is manifest in the extraordinary assembly of the fields, in houses and early 19th-century manor houses, in wine-cellars, churches and ports. The extraordinarily beautiful man-made landscape of the site is the best remaining area of a once much more widespread practice.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (iii): The Pico Island landscape reflects a unique response to viniculture on a small volcanic island that has been evolving since the arrival of the first settlers in the 15th century.
Criterion (v): The extraordinarily beautiful human-made landscape of small, stone walled fields is a testimony to generations of small-scale farmers who, in a hostile environment, created a sustainable living and much-valued wine.
Encyclopedia Record: Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture
The Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture is a Unesco World Heritage Site on Pico Island, part of the archipelago of the Azores, Portugal. The landscape is known for the network of basalt stone walls and vines planted in rectangular enclosures known as currais. Wine has been produced in the area since the late 15th century, and traditional techniques continue to be used.Additional Site Details
Area: 987 hectares
Number of Components: 3
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 38.51344444 , -28.54116667
Image
© The original uploader was Ulrich Thumult at English Wikipedia. (Original text: Ulrich Thumult), CC BY-SA 2.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Islands on the move: Non-mass tourism and migration in El Hierro (Spain) and Pico (Portugal)
El Hierro (Spain) and Pico (Portugal), UNESCO World Heritage Sites, represent a unique typology of island tourism development, defying traditional classifications. Unlike mass-tourism destinations, these islands attract a mix of lifestyle migrants, economic immigrants, and return migrants who drive the transition from pre-tourism economies to tourism-dominated ones. This shift is fueled by globalization, digitalization, and EU integration, reshaping local productive models. The study highlights how international migration plays a pivotal role in the early stages of these islands' tourism life cycles, positioning them as innovative case studies in island economic and social transformation.
Mendoza, C., Domínguez-Mujica, J., & Parreño-Castellano, J. M. (2025). Islands on the move: Non-mass tourism and migration in El Hierro (Spain) and Pico (Portugal). Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 6(1), 100171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annale.2025.100171
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The Potential of Wine Tourism in the Innovation Processes of Tourism Experiences in the Canary Islands—An Approach to the Case of the Canary Brand
Wine tourism is emerging as a key driver for the sustainability and revaluation of the braided cord vineyard management system (BCS) in La Orotava Valley, Tenerife, Canary Islands—a globally unique cultural landscape. The study reveals significant progress in integrating BCS into public-private strategies aimed at its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (BIC). Through 16 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, researchers found that wine tourism is increasingly central to the valley's economic and social development, reflecting a shift toward innovative, experience-based models. The findings underscore the potential for wine tourism to revitalize traditional practices while ensuring their long-term preservation.
Dorta Rodriguez, A., & Quintela, J. A. (2024). The Potential of Wine Tourism in the Innovation Processes of Tourism Experiences in the Canary Islands—An Approach to the Case of the Canary Brand. Sustainability, 16(15), 6314. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156314
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General Physicochemical Parameters, Phenolic Composition, and Varietal Aromatic Potential of Three Red Vitis vinifera Varieties (“Merlot”, Syrah”, and “Saborinho”) Cultivated on Pico Island—Azores Archipelago
Merlot grapes cultivated on Pico Island, part of the UNESCO-listed Azores archipelago, demonstrate superior adaptation to the region's unique conditions compared to Syrah and Saborinho varieties. Over three vintages, Merlot exhibited significantly higher levels of estimated alcohol degree, total phenols (including flavonoids and non-flavonoids), anthocyanins, color intensity, and antioxidant capacity. Notably, Merlot and Syrah grapes showed a predominance of acetyl-anthocyanins over p-coumaroylated forms, contrasting with Saborinho's opposite trend. Varietal aromatic potential differed significantly only in the 2021 vintage, with Merlot and Syrah leading. These findings highlight Merlot's resilience and quality potential under Pico Island's specific vine cultivation conditions.
Jordão, A. M., Correia, A. C., Martins, B., Romão, A., & Oliveira, B. (2024). General Physicochemical Parameters, Phenolic Composition, and Varietal Aromatic Potential of Three Red Vitis vinifera Varieties (“Merlot”, Syrah”, and “Saborinho”) Cultivated on Pico Island—Azores Archipelago. International Journal of Plant Biology, 15(4), 1369–1390. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb15040095
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Creative and Rural Tourism, Public Policies and Land Use Changes: A Multi-Method Approach towards Regional Sustainable Development in Azores Islands
A multi-method approach reveals that land-use changes in the Azores Islands, particularly on Pico Island's vineyard landscapereflect the impact of regional public policies. The study also demonstrates that rural and creative tourism can serve as a catalyst for sustainable development in island territories. By analyzing trends and dynamics in land use alongside innovative tourism models, researchers found evidence supporting the potential of new tourism business forms to inform and enhance regional policy-making. This suggests a promising pathway for balancing conservation with economic growth in vulnerable ecosystems.
Couto, G., Castanho, R. A., & Santos, C. (2023). Creative and Rural Tourism, Public Policies and Land Use Changes: A Multi-Method Approach towards Regional Sustainable Development in Azores Islands. Sustainability, 15(6), 5152. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065152
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The emergence of World Heritage Cultural Landscapes, with a focus on Viticultural landscapes
A total of 119 cultural landscapes, including viticultural sites, have been recognized by UNESCO since 1992 as a distinct category bridging natural and cultural heritage. This study highlights the potential of these landscapes for sustainable development while emphasizing that not all rural or agrarian landscapes meet the criteria for World Heritage status due to their 'Value Universal Exceptional.' It also explores convergences between UNESCO's approach and the FAO's guidelines, noting ICOMOS' 2017 recognition of rural heritage principles. The research analyzes inscribed viticultural landscapes (19 sites) and those on indicative lists (9), assessing their eligibility for World Heritage status while stressing the need for rigorous evaluation against UNESCO criteria.
Prats, M. (2022). The emergence of World Heritage Cultural Landscapes, with a focus on Viticultural landscapes. Erph_ Revista Electrónica de Patrimonio Histórico, (30), 16–47. https://doi.org/10.30827/erph.vi30.24392
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Standardised arthropod (Arthropoda) inventory across natural and anthropogenic impacted habitats in the Azores archipelago
A comprehensive arthropod inventory of the Azores archipelago reveals 483 species, including 37 non-native taxa never before recorded in the region. The study, part of the EDEN Azores monitoring program (2008-2014), documented 116,523 specimens across five islands, highlighting Hymenoptera—particularly parasitoids—as the most diverse group, followed by Coleoptera and Collembola. Notably, 19 species were new to São Miguel Island, while others expanded records for Flores, Pico, Terceira, and Santa Maria. The research employed standardized surveys of herbaceous and arboreal habitats, scaling from native to anthropogenic landscapes, to assess terrestrial biodiversity in this globally significant region. These findings contribute critical baseline data for conservation efforts, particularly in UNESCO-listed sites like the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture.
Marcelino, J., Borges, P., Borges, I., Pereira, E., Santos, V., & Soares, A. (2021). Standardised arthropod (Arthropoda) inventory across natural and anthropogenic impacted habitats in the Azores archipelago. Biodiversity Data Journal, 9. https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.9.e62157
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Linking Wine Culture and Geoheritage—Missing Opportunities at European UNESCO World Heritage Sites and in UNESCO Global Geoparks? A Survey of Web-Based Resources
A significant gap exists between the potential for linking wine culture to geoheritage and its actual communication in European UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks. Despite vine cultivation being intrinsically tied to local geology, landforms, and soils, official web-based resources often fail to explore or effectively communicate these causal relationships. While recent nomination dossiers for World Heritage Sites provide detailed presentations of abiotic environments, they are not readily accessible to the general public. In contrast, Global Geoparks primarily highlight wine culture as a sustainable local activity without delving deeply into its geoheritage context. This missed opportunity is notable given the growing interest in wine tourism and the recognized value of cultural landscapes, which could serve as a platform for enhanced geo-interpretation and public awareness of geoheritage matters.
Pijet-Migoń, E., & Migoń, P. (2021). Linking Wine Culture and Geoheritage—Missing Opportunities at European UNESCO World Heritage Sites and in UNESCO Global Geoparks? A Survey of Web-Based Resources. Geoheritage, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00594-4
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