Basalt Organ (Órgão De Basalto)

On the island of Porto Santo, the Órgão de Basalto is a cliff of columnar basalt that looks as though it had been built rather than formed. The rock is arranged in tall, close-packed vertical columns, some of them with five or six sides, and from a distance they look like the pipes of a giant organ, hence the name. It is found near the Pico de Ana Ferreira, on the south-west side of the island, not far from the Calheta coast.

The formation is a classic result of cooling lava. When a thick flow of molten basalt cools, it contracts and cracks in a regular pattern, forming vertical joints that divide the rock into prisms. The effect is the same as that found at better-known places such as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, though on a smaller scale. Porto Santo is geologically older than Madeira, and its landscape, worn by erosion over millions of years, is lower and drier, with sandy plains, rounded hills, and the long golden beach along the south coast. This outcrop shows the volcanic skeleton of the island clearly.

The experience is simple. Visitors park near the site, walk a short distance, and look at the columns, which are tallest and most regular in the central part. Standing at the base, you can see how the vertical grooves catch the light, and from higher ground there are wide views over the sea and the coast. Because the rock is exposed and the island is open, wind is frequent, and the light at sunrise and sunset gives the columns a warm colour. A rough, unpaved approach means that a car with some ground clearance is more comfortable, and it is wise to ask locally about current conditions. Keep away from the edges and do not climb on loose rock.

The site is free to visit and has no services, so bring water and a hat. Combine it with a visit to the Vila Baleira, the island's main town, where the house associated with Christopher Columbus can be seen, and with the beaches of Calheta and Zimbralinho.

It suits geology enthusiasts, photographers, and walkers who want a short excursion away from the main beach. A visit takes less than an hour, so it fits well into a morning before the heat of the day.