Cidade Velha (, Portuguese for "old city", also: Santiago de Cabo Verde) is a city in the southern part of the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. Founded in 1462 by Portuguese traders, it is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde and its former capital. Once called Ribeira Grande by the Portuguese colonists, they changed its name to Cidade Velha in the late 18th century after relocating the capital to Praia.
Geography
Cidade Velha is situated on the south coast of Santiago, at the mouth of the river Ribeira Grande de Santiago. It is west of the capital Praia. City subdivisions include Largo Pelourinho, São Sebastião, Santo António, and São Pedro.
History
thumb|1646 illustration of Cidade Velha by [[Caspar Schmalkalden]]thumb|The Nossa Senhora do Rosário church
thumb|Ruins of the old cathedral
The island of Santiago was discovered in 1460 by António da Noli, a Genoese in Portuguese service.
Ribeira Grande (now Cidade Velha) was reduced to the rank of a village and its civil, religious and military buildings began to decay after so many institutions left. Since the 1960s, restoration works have begun. In 2009, this was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gallery
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Pelourinho Cidade Velha IW.jpg| square
Image:Cidade Velha - House by the ocean 2014-10-02 12.jpg|Cidade Velha - House by the ocean.
ForteSFilipeQuarteis.JPG|Ruins of São Filipe fort.
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