Visit the Old Town (one of the World Heritage Sites)
Visit the Old Town (one of the World Heritage Sites)
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. .
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Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Fortaleza Real de San Felipe
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.
1 hourSe Catedral
Its Se Cathedral, the first that the Portuguese erected on the black continent, is today in ruins. However, the little that remains is being preserved in order to prevent important references from disappearing from Cape Verde, and in particular from Santiago, the mother island of ancient Cape Verdean culture due to its geo-strategic position, midway between the African continent, Europe, the Americas and the East, early the Cape Verdean archipelago was called upon to play a pivotal role in the framework of trade in slave trade and the supply of ships in fresh and water. These factors contributed to make Ribeira Grande quickly become a commercial center of some projection and hence, in 1533, it was erected in Cidade.
30 minutesIgreja Nossa Senhora do Rosario
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, now a historical heritage site, was built around 1495. It is one of the oldest temples on the island of Santiago and Cape Verde. In this Church he preached Father António Vieira in 1652, passing to Brazil from Portugal. What surprised the great Portuguese speaker at the time was the fact that he found clergymen and canons gifted with wisdom, who he said envied the best in the Kingdom.
30 minutesPelourinho
Built in 1512 or 1520, it is one of the oldest monuments in Cape Verde. It was restored in the late 1960s.
30 minutesConvento de Sao Francisco
We will visit the convent of São Constructed around 1640, on a plot of land donated by Joana Coelho, a wealthy landowner, widow of Captain Fabião de Andrade. It was conceived to welcome the Franciscan religious who replaced the Jesuits in the mission in Cape Verde. It also functioned as a training center, where priests taught various crafts to the community. It was practically destroyed after an attack by the privateer Jacques Cassard in 1712 and a storm in 1754.
30 minutesIncluded
- All Fees and Taxes
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Entry/Admission - Pelourinho
- Entry/Admission - Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosario
- Entry/Admission - Se Catedral
- Entry/Admission - Convento de Sao Francisco
- Entry/Admission - Fortaleza Real de San Felipe
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- Employees with weekly tests.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.