A Travel To The Past in Cidade Velha, Cape Verde

Following carrying out a full working day Santiago Island Tour plus a workshop, I experienced a second working day properly put in! I’m even now in Santiago in Cape Verde, and this time, I explored the highlights of Cidade Velha, the country’s previous cash.

This unforgettable working day was fun and remarkable, all thanks to Bu Country Excursions and Maria – my guideline and my photographer that day! Haha. Guys, she usually takes good pictures! Alright, with out even more ado, here’s how I expended my 2nd day in Cidade Velha with Bu Region Tours.

About Cidade Velha

Cidade Velha is a town in Santiago. It is positioned on the southern element of the island. Due to the fact it is the former capital of Cape Verde, there are a great deal of places that can be explored below which I will share with you beneath. 

Highlights of My Cidade Velha Tour

Cidade Velha – now declared a Planet Heritage Website by UNESCO – with all its sights should undoubtedly be frequented when traveling to the island of Santiago. The originality was nonetheless preserved right here! Unique impressions await anyone visiting below!

Cidade Velha

The moment I arrived in this city, I was welcomed by heartwarming folks! The metropolis alone is rich in culture and record. It was established by Portuguese settlers and named it Ribeira Grande also known as Cideda Velha. This is also the rationale why the city is referred to as the birthplace of Cape Verdean nation and tradition. I was so glad that I was presented the possibility to get to know this awesome town with incredible persons.

Fortaleza Real de Sao Filipe

1 of the areas we frequented in Cidade Velha, Fortaleza Genuine de Sao Filipe. A take a look at to the fort earlier mentioned Cidade Velha is a will have to. It has been mainly restored in the latest years, so individuals can even now see its splendor up to this working day. I was blown away by the spectacular all-spherical view. Not only that, but it also provides insights of the loaded earlier of the island. 

Se Catedral

The 3rd place we went to was Se Catedral. The ruins are quite extraordinary mainly because of their dimension by itself. These days only a several walls have remained standing, but from right here, you can also see grave slabs and have a attractive see of the castle and the metropolis.

Pelourinho

An additional will have to-check out place in Cidade Velha. The “Pelourinho”, a pillory from 1512 that commemorates the heritage of the Ribeira Grande slave industry. At initially glance, it appears to be like like a further pillory, but as soon as I was explained to the story of the slaves, I commenced to come to feel its legitimate weight and symbolism.

It is in the beautiful square of the very same identify, where the regional suppliers are concentrated and in front of the sea. The square is wonderful and correctly acceptable for locals offering fruit and various souvenir objects. 

Rua Banana

When we went to Rua Banana, it felt like we traveled back in time. Below, you can see regular homes and banana trees in in between. Owning to wander as a result of a person of the oldest streets in Africa is anything to glimpse forward to! It is a rapid wander, but it is certainly a spotlight in the stunning Cidade Velha.

Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church

Just after checking out Rua Banana, they took me to Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church. The church dates back from 1945. This is where the slaves from West Africa were being baptized before staying transported to Brazil.

Convento de Sao Francisco

This was our last stop ahead of we headed back to the hotel. The remains of Convento de Sao Francisco reward the brief climb with a superb look at over the Ribeira Grande and the sea. Sad to say, only areas of the convent have survived, but it gives an remarkable insight about the background of the city. 

We finished the tour with me nonetheless blown away by the things I learned that day. Even nevertheless a lot of smiling faces welcomed me, the tragic previous of the town is something we all need to accept.

By learning all these, we can discover from it and make absolutely sure that something like this will not ever take place all over again now, and in the in close proximity to foreseeable future.