Italy Community

✅Who Was Gaspar Frutuoso?

Gaspar Frutuoso (1522–1591), a native of São Miguel, is rightfully considered the first Azorean chronicler and certainly the one who gained the greatest prominence within the archipelago. He stands alongside the most significant historians of his time in the field of historiography.

He pursued his academic studies at the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest and most prestigious in Europe, where he graduated in theology. His time in Salamanca allowed him to absorb the humanist atmosphere that prevailed there, significantly contributing to his deep erudition and encyclopedic knowledge.

Upon returning to São Miguel, Gaspar Frutuoso undertook the monumental task of writing his Saudades da Terra, in which he demonstrated the qualities of a true historian—an investigator who did not merely copy existing texts but analyzed facts with the insight and critical spirit of a true scholar. Meticulous in his descriptions, methodical in organizing the wide range of topics he addressed, and covering various fields of knowledge, he extended his studies beyond the Azorean islands. He utilized a diverse array of sources (monastic records, official documents, oral testimonies) and was guided by a commitment to impartiality and objectivity—qualities essential to any true historian. Gaspar Frutuoso left behind a historical legacy of immense value.

He also had the singular merit of recognizing the importance of economic aspects as a driving force of society. So much so that the renowned historian Oliveira Marques stated that “the greatest value of Gaspar Frutuoso’s work lies in the emphasis given to economic and social aspects of settlement, which were generally omitted or neglected by the chroniclers of the Age of Discovery.”

Without exaggeration, it can be said that Gaspar Frutuoso’s work, spread across several volumes, is a fundamental reference in Azorean historiography. Without it, our understanding of the insular reality of the 15th and 16th centuries would be significantly less complete.

I am sharing photos of landscapes, moments and experiences. Nature and sea are the most visited themes in my photo collection, but any attention-grabbing aspect can be photographed. Hope you enjoy it...