Cidade velha excursion

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Italian

French

Spanish

5 hours

Mobile ticket

Im this tour we gonna anderstand the history of cape verd, and see the beatifull constrution build by portuguese im century 14.

The island of Santiago was discovered by António da Noli, a Genoese in Portuguese service, in 1460. Da Noli settled at Ribeira Grande with his family members and Portuguese from Algarve and Alentejo in 1462. The settling conditions were good due to the abundance of water from the river Ribeira Grande, which gave it an advantage over the other settlement on Santiago, Alcatrazes.

The settlement became a key port of call for Portuguese colonisation towards Africa and South America. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a centre of maritime trade between Africa, the Cape, Brazil and the Caribbean. Due to its proximity to the African coast, it was an essential platform for the trade of enslaved persons.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Air-conditioned vehicle

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Hotel VIP Praia

Avenida Jorge Barbosa Praia Cape Verde

What To Expect

Cidade Velha

Language Download PDF Watch Edit Cidade Velha (Portuguese for "old city", also: Santiago de Cabo Verde) is a city[2] in the southern part of the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. Founded in 1462,[3]:77 it is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde and its former capital. Once called Ribeira Grande, its name was changed to Cidade Velha in the late 18th century.[4] It is the seat of the Ribeira Grande de Santiago municipality. Located off Africa's northwest coast, this town was the first European colonial settlement in the tropics. Some of the meticulously planned original design of the site is still intact, including a royal fortress, two churches and a 16th-century town square. Today, Cidade Velha is an Atlantic shipping stop and center for Creole culture. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World in 2009.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable

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