Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

World Heritage

cape verde

🎧 Listen to Introduction

Renamed Cidade Velha in the late 18th century, the town of Ribeira Grande was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics. Located in the south of Santiago Island, the town retains some of its original street layout and impressive ruins, including two churches, a royal fortress and the Pillory Square, with its ornate 16th-century marble columns.

# European colonial outpost

# Tropical Regions

# Santiago Island

# Original street layout

# Royal Fortress