Cidade Velha

beach town in Cidade Velha

#2 in Cidade Velha / #5 in Cape Verde

by Ji-Elle

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Cidade Velha, located on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde, is a historic town known for its rich cultural heritage and significant historical landmarks. As the first European colonial settlement in the tropics, founded in 1462 by the Portuguese, it played a crucial role in the transatlantic slave trade. Today, Cidade Velha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring notable attractions such as the Fortaleza Real de São Filipe, a 16th-century fortress offering panoramic views of the town and the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pelourinho, a historic pillory that stands as a reminder of the town's past.

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