Discover Praia & Cidade Velha

OVERVIEW

Hear the fascinating history of Santiago while visiting landmarks in the capital and beyond. A leisurely walk through downtown Praia will reveal much about the island’s past, including its colonial period. Statues in the main squares honor explorer Diogo Gomes, who discovered the Cape Verde Islands in 1460, and Alexandre Albuquerque, an early governor-general. Other highlights include the presidential palace and Our Lady of the Rosary church, where both Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus prayed. The country’s first capital, Cidade Velha is also steeped in history. Once called Ribeira Grande, it was the first permanent European settlement in the tropics. The town is so historically and architecturally significant that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. As you will discover at the Fortress of San Filipe and in Pillory Square, Cape Verde’s past has often been turbulent and troubling. Much of the town’s original layout still remains, which adds to its character.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See landmarks in Cape Verde’s capital of Praia that reveal its past.
• Pause at a church where both Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus prayed.
• Discover why UNESCO deemed the first capital, Cidade Velha, a World Heritage site.
• Stroll through a 16th-century fortress and notice parts of the town’s original layout.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.