Cities and regions／Cape Verde
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Cidade Velha

On Santiago’s southern coast, Cidade Velha brings together architecture, colonial power and the memory of the Atlantic slave trade. The visit is best understood by descending from Fortaleza Real de São Filipe towards the cathedral, Pelourinho, churches and former port.

Royal Fort of São Filipe above Cidade Velha and the Atlantic coast
Photo by Franzfoto Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
The place

What makes it special

  • Fortaleza Real de São Filipe and interpretation centre
  • Ruins of Ribeira de Santiago cathedral and the Pelourinho
  • Nossa Senhora do Rosário church and former port
Cidade Velha
Photo by Cayambe Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Pelourinho
Photo by Autor no identificado Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Travel atlas

Articles in Cidade Velha

Guides to this place

1 article

Cidade Velha

Viajalo Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Royal Fort of São Filipe above Cidade Velha and the Atlantic coast

Cidade Velha from the Fortress to the Port and Its Atlantic Memory

A day in Cidade Velha offers a chance to follow a compact historic layout while engaging thoughtfully with the memory of the Atlantic trade in enslaved people.

Read guide →
Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 13/09/2026