Santiago Hiking Guide

The houses of the Rua Banana, dating back to the 15th century, were systematically documented in the background of a Unesco-Project. They have been exactly rebuilt with their original stones.

The Pelourinho (pillory) from the year 1512 was a symbol of the portuguese crown and of the slave market. In order to withstand the increasing pirate-attacks of the other European powers (England, France, Holland) and after two attacks by Sr. Francis Drake in 1587, they started building the Forte Real S. Filipe and seven other small fortresses.

The maize came from Brazil and spread to Cidade Velha and then on to Europe and the African mainland.
From the African mainland came the coconut which in turn was brougth to Brazil. Further on, the first brazilian cows came from Capverde. The Portuguese Orlando sums up the importance of Cidade Velha as follows: The form of cultivatioon came from the Mediterranean area, the plants from America and the food from Africa. (Ribeiro Orlando. "Promorios da ocpacao das Ilhas de Cabo Verde" Stdio, n. 10 Lisboa, 1962.)
The product working slave were brought to the coasts of Senegal to Sierra Leone for further transportation to the Carribean Islands..

Since the middle of the 15th century Cape Verde became a centre of the slave trade, first of all Portugal, Madeira, the Azores and then later for Brazil, the Antilles and the Carribean Islands. The high time of the slave trade lasted until the middle of the 17^th century. However, the trade finished only with the abolition of slavery in 1876.

For the purpose of globalization Cidade Velha was meant to be the servicepoint on the Atlantic Highway which made the exploration for the seaway to India etc. possible. The place was more than a slave prison before the continuing transportation. It served as a training camp for work slaves. Not only the most recent production methods but also the basic values of the western culture - christianity - were introduced.

Further historical Information to Cidade Velha is to be found in "A Importância histórica da cidade velha". 2004 by Daniel Pereira. Instituto da Biblioteca Nacional e do Livro. (in 5 lang.:pt, es, fr, en, cv)