[3] The village was founded in a sheltered bay, facilitating the easy disembarkation of goods and provisions, protected from westerly winds.

The first documented settlement, by the Fleming Willem van der Haegen, occurred in the zone of Ribeira da Cruz (north of the parish) in the 16th century.

Settlements in the western coast, with the exception of Lajedo, were de-annexed to form the parish of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios das Fajãs (independent as of 1676, with its seat in Fajãzinha).

By 1868 these garrisons were demolished, but the name Santo António in the village remains, designating the area along the coast in front of the Church, the former location of the fort and chapel of the same name.

[3] The urban area is implanted on a relatively plain escarpment, and arriba situated on the south-east corner of the island, expanding into the interior by its roadways.