A Travel To The Past in Cidade Velha, Cape Verde

Immediately after doing a full working day Santiago Island Tour in addition a workshop, I had a second day well expended! I’m continue to in Santiago in Cape Verde, and this time, I explored the highlights of Cidade Velha, the country’s former capital.

This memorable day was exciting and fascinating, all many thanks to Bu Region Tours and Maria – my guidebook and my photographer that day! Haha. Guys, she will take great pictures! Alright, without the need of even further ado, here’s how I put in my 2nd working day in Cidade Velha with Bu Region Tours.

About Cidade Velha

Cidade Velha is a city in Santiago. It’s situated on the southern aspect of the island. Because it is the former money of Cape Verde, there are a ton of destinations that can be explored right here which I will share with you under. 

Highlights of My Cidade Velha Tour

Cidade Velha – now declared a Globe Heritage Site by UNESCO – with all its sights ought to unquestionably be visited when viewing the island of Santiago. The originality was still preserved right here! Unique impressions await anyone checking out in this article!

Cidade Velha

Once I arrived in this town, I was welcomed by heartwarming individuals! The town by itself is rich in lifestyle and historical past. It was founded by Portuguese settlers and named it Ribeira Grande also recognized as Cideda Velha. This is also the reason why the town is referred to as the birthplace of Cape Verdean country and tradition. I was so happy that I was supplied the option to get to know this incredible town with awesome people.

Fortaleza Authentic de Sao Filipe

A person of the places we visited in Cidade Velha, Fortaleza True de Sao Filipe. A pay a visit to to the fort previously mentioned Cidade Velha is a ought to. It has been mainly restored in latest several years, so individuals can even now see its magnificence up to this day. I was blown absent by the spectacular all-spherical perspective. Not only that, but it also gives insights of the loaded earlier of the island. 

Se Catedral

The 3rd place we went to was Se Catedral. The ruins are very outstanding since of their dimensions alone. Currently only a number of partitions have remained standing, but from in this article, you can also see grave slabs and have a beautiful view of the castle and the metropolis.

Pelourinho

A different have to-pay a visit to put in Cidade Velha. The “Pelourinho”, a pillory from 1512 that commemorates the history of the Ribeira Grande slave current market. At to start with look, it seems like another pillory, but as soon as I was advised the story of the slaves, I began to truly feel its correct body weight and symbolism.

It is in the beautiful sq. of the same name, exactly where the area suppliers are concentrated and in front of the sea. The sq. is wonderful and properly ideal for locals selling fruit and various souvenir merchandise. 

Rua Banana

When we went to Rua Banana, it felt like we traveled again in time. Right here, you can see standard houses and banana trees in amongst. Possessing to wander by just one of the oldest streets in Africa is a little something to search forward to! It is a brief walk, but it is absolutely a emphasize in the beautiful Cidade Velha.

Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church

Right after exploring Rua Banana, they took me to Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church. The church dates again from 1945. This is where the slaves from West Africa were being baptized before being delivered to Brazil.

Convento de Sao Francisco

This was our last halt just before we headed back to the resort. The continues to be of Convento de Sao Francisco reward the limited climb with a great check out over the Ribeira Grande and the sea. Sad to say, only components of the convent have survived, but it offers an amazing perception about the historical past of the city. 

We ended the tour with me even now blown absent by the issues I uncovered that day. Even while loads of smiling faces welcomed me, the tragic previous of the town is a little something we all should really admit.

By discovering all these, we can discover from it and make positive that one thing like this will not ever materialize yet again now, and in the close to long term.