The legend tells that on the current site of the lagoon there used to be a small, beautiful village, which, despite not working much, was very happy. Here they had endless parties and all the people lived in harmony.
One day a village boy went out to fetch water as usual. However, this time the water tasted salty to him, similar to sea water. The boy took this as an omen that something terrible was going to happen to the village and rushed to warn the inhabitants. However, no one heeded his call.
A few days later, the boy returned to the spring and noticed that the fish swimming in it were jumping up and down and dying. Convinced of his omen, the boy went back to warn his village, although in vain, as only his grandfather believed.
Together, the boy and his grandfather climbed the hills until they reached the highest point and spotted, among the mists, a new island on the horizon. It was the Enchanted Island of Sete Cidades, they believed. Terrified, the two of them went to warn the whole village that misfortune would surely come. However, just as they had reacted to the first warnings, the villagers ignored the news, choosing to continue their festivities.
So the boy and his grandfather waited, and a few days later they left the village, heading for another neighboring town, in order to sell cattle. They took a few days on their journey.
When they returned, they were met with an incredible change. The village had disappeared and there was now a lagoon with crystal clear water. Legend has it that the villagers still live under the lagoon today, and that the volcanic gas bubbles are the people cooking.
