Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande Cape Verde
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande is a town of Ribeira Grande, renamed Cidade Velha in the late 18th century, and 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. Cidade Velha, historic centre of Ribeira Grande demonstrates Outstanding Universal Value: Ribeira Grande was the first European colonial town to be built in the tropics, and marks a decisive step in European expansion at the end of the 15th century towards Africa and the Atlantic area. Continent: Africa Country: Cape Verde Category: Cultural Criterion: (II)(III) (VI) Date of Inscription: 2009