Santiago's Old Town: Explore the Birthplace of Cape Verde and its Historic Ruins
4.4
5 Ratings
Cidade Velha
Discover the birthplace of Cape Verde and its historic ruins in Santiago's Old Town. Explore the remnants of Ribeira Grande, the former capital of the Cape Verde archipelago, and experience a journey of quality, comfort, and safety.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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Fortaleza Real de San Felipe - The Fortress of S. Filipe, one of the great historical monuments of the city of Ribeira Grande is the testimony of the Portuguese presence in these islands. It was built after Drake’s attack. in 1585. The city was garrisoned from this fort, whose construction would have started in 1593. Another historical monument that the visitor can observe in the city of Ribeira Grande is the pillory erected a few centuries ago in the square of the city. Here the slaves were beaten. It is the most vivid memory of the Slavonic era in Cape Verde.
According to some historians, Ribeira Grande never had the development corresponding to the category of City. However, for convenience, King D. João III decided to propose the creation of the Diocese of Cape Verde. The aim was to facilitate the ordination of native priests as well as to better coordinate the task of evangelizing the African coast, from which many free men came to Christianize.
What's Included
- Bottled water provided
- Air-conditioned vehicle comfort
- All fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
- All fees and/or taxes
Additional Information
Come see Santiago’s Old Town, which is the birthplace of Cape Verdeanity. It is also the toponym of what was once the old city of Ribeira Grande, which was the capital of the Cape Verde archipelago for some centuries. It was the first city that the Portuguese had in Africa, in their adventure of discoveries. Hence it is a mandatory reference in the historical context of the islands of Cape Verde. Only the ruins that sadly lean over the archipelago’s eternal blue sea remain, and they sleep under the weight of years of men’s oblivion, and their visit had a driver with years of experience who will ensure that their journey is of quality, comfort and safety. .
Location
Fortaleza Real de San Felipe
Rua de Forteleza,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(5 Ratings)
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1 star
Ardice_h
Nov 22, 2022
Well-paced mix of old and new - Nelson was an excellent guide, very warm, and we had a great visit. The visit was well-paced, interesting, and comfortable. This tour was a good mix of the modern, traditional, and historical. At the end of our trip, Nelson recommended a good place for lunch. He has a great sense of humor, too.
Review provided by Viator
T_stefanits
May 8, 2022
Nice half day tour - I visited Cidade Velha in May with Lorenco. From the first minute on, he was more like a friend than a guide. He drove carefully and on the way back to my hotel, we made a little detour, where he showed me the "other" side of Praia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philippn619
Jan 22, 2022
Fantastic experience - Highly recommended! I had a great time with Nelson who was a very knowledgeable, relaxed and kind host. He showed me all the important sights in the Old Town and took time to answer all my questions over a very nice lunch at a seaside restaurant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
221justynaf
Dec 21, 2019
Old Town Experience - Really enjoyed the trip, saw the most important places in Cidade Velha. I was picked up at my hostel, taken care of profesionally by the guide who showed me the cultural and historical spots.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jane_b
May 18, 2023
Not as expected and not as advertised - We booked this tour in order to learn more about the island. The stated duration was approximately five hours. We were finished with the itinerary in 2.5 hours and were asked to pay more if we wanted to do something else. Our driver, Nelson, did not speak English very well so there was very little information given. The car was a small VW with no AC, so we drove with the windows down. All windows in the car were tinted so it would have been impossible to see out if the windows were not down. There was no bottled water available or offered. Overall it was not what was advertised.
Review provided by Viator
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