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After doing a Full Day Santiago Island Tour plus a workshop, I had a second day well spent! I am still in Santiago in Cape Verde and this time I have the highlights of Old Citythe former capital of the country.
This memorable day was fun and exciting, all thanks to Bu Country Tours and Maria – my guide and my photographer that day! haha. Guys, she takes good pictures! Okay, without further ado, here’s how I spent my second day in Cidade Velha with Bu Country Tours.
About the old town
Cidade Velha is a city in Santiago. It is located on the southern part of the island. Being the former capital of Cape Verde, there are many places to explore here that I will share with you below.
Highlights of My Old Town Tour
Cidade Velha – now declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – with all its sights is a must when visiting the island of Santiago. The originality is still preserved here! Unique impressions await everyone who comes here!
Old City
Once I arrived in this city I was welcomed by heartwarming people! The city itself is rich in culture and history. It was founded by Portuguese settlers and called it Ribeira Grande, also known as Cideda Velha. This is also the reason why the city is called the birthplace of the Cape Verdean nation and culture. I was so happy to have the chance to get to know this amazing city with amazing people.
Royal Fort of Sao Filipe
One of the places we visited in Cidade Velha, Fortaleza Real de Sao Filipe. A visit to the fortress above Cidade Velha is highly recommended. It has been largely restored in recent years so that people can still see its beauty to this day. I was blown away by the beautiful view all around. Not only that, it also gives an insight into the rich past of the island.
Se Catedral
The third place we went to was Se Catedral. Just because of their size, the ruins are very impressive. Today only a few walls remain, but from here you can also see tombstones and have a beautiful view of the castle and the city.
pillory
Another must visit place in Cidade Velha. The “Pelourinho”, a pillory from 1512 that commemorates the history of the Ribeira Grande slave market. At first glance it looks like a pillory again, but as soon as I heard the story of the slaves, I started to feel its true weight and symbolism.
It is in the beautiful square of the same name, where the local vendors are concentrated and in front of the sea. The square is beautiful and perfectly suited to the locals who sell fruits and various souvenir items.
Two Bananas
When we went to Rua Banana it felt like we were traveling back in time. Here you can see traditional houses and banana trees in between. Having to walk down one of the oldest streets in Africa is something to look forward to! It’s a short walk, but it’s definitely a highlight in the beautiful Cidade Velha.
Our Lady of Rosario Church
After exploring Rua Banana, they took me to the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario. The church dates back to 1945. This is where the slaves from West Africa were baptized before being shipped to Brazil.
Monastery of San Francisco
This was our last stop before heading back to the hotel. The remains of Convento de Sao Francisco reward the short climb with fantastic views over the Ribeira Grande and the sea. Unfortunately, only parts of the monastery have survived, but it gives an impressive insight into the history of the city.
We ended the tour with me still blown away by the things I learned that day. While many smiling faces welcomed me, the city’s tragic past is something we should all acknowledge.
By learning all these things, we can learn from them and make sure that nothing like this will ever happen again now and for the foreseeable future.
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