Sunday 21 November 2021

Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

My cousin Isabel was this year in Cabo Verde and she brought me these postcards! She wasn't on this island but she found the UNESCO site I was missing!


Cidade Velha

The town of Ribeira Grande, renamed Cidade Velha in the late 18th century, was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics. Located in the south of the island of Santiago, the town features some of the original street layout impressive remains including two churches, a royal fortress and Pillory Square with its ornate 16th century marble pillar. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1310


São Filipe Fortress

Forte Real de São Filipe is a 16th century fortress in the city of Cidade Velha in the south of the island of SantiagoCape Verde. It is located on a plateau above the town centre, 120 meters above sea level. 
The fortress was built under Philip I of Portugal between 1587 and 1593, little after Sir Francis Drake's 1585 raid of Santiago. It completed the existing defence system, consisting of the older forts of São LourençoSão BrásPresidioSão VeríssimoSão João dos Cavaleiros and São António. Remains of these forts can still be seen. The Forte Real de São Filipe was built from stone imported from Portugal. It was designed by the military engineers João Nunes and Filippo Terzi. - in: wikipedia


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