Story and significance
About
Located on Santiago, the largest island of the Sotavento Islands group, Cidade Velha is the first capital of Cabo Verde and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Timeline, heritage and stories
Heritage
Cidade Velha is the oldest European colonial settlement in the tropics within the Sotavento Islands region. Formerly known as Ribeira Grande, it preserves the earliest architectural remains of Cabo Verde. The site features ruins of the first cathedral, the historic Pillory square, and ancient cobblestone streets showing Portuguese influence. Travelers can locate this heritage zone on the Map section.
The town played a critical role in global maritime trade routes across the Atlantic. Today, this protected area serves as a living monument to the island's rich cultural and historical past.
Practical notes before you go
Visit
- Type
- Historic sites
- Tip
- Opening hours and ticket rules may vary by season.
Related places around here
Nearby
Museum
2
Museum
Museum of Tabanka
Located in Santa Catarina on Santiago island, this museum preserves the Tabanka tradition, the most authentic musical and social expression of Sotavento Islands culture, vital to Cabo Verde heritage.
Museum
Tarrafal Concentration Camp Museum
Located in Tarrafal in northern Santiago, this former penal colony holds the political resistance memory of the Sotavento Islands and stands as a major monument to Cabo Verde 's anti-colonial struggle.