São Filipe, Cape Verde

Archipelago

São Filipe is the administrative center of the homonymous municipality on the Cape Verdean island of Fogo in 2006 and has about 7600 inhabitants. The place is surrounded by a barren steppe- like landscape in the southwest of the island. It provides for Fogo link to the outside world is through the 3 km from the airport in the east of the city and harbor Vale dos Cavaleiros in the north.

History

São Filipe was founded in the 16th century and is today after Cidade da Ribeira Grande as the second oldest town in the entire country, the city rights were, however, awarded in 1922. In 1655 the city was destroyed by Flemish pirates.

Attractions

• Of particular importance is the historical city center, the Bila Baxo. It lies on a plateau about 40 meters above the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered on the west by a black sand beach. This district is characterized by a vast ensemble of townhouses in the Portuguese colonial style, the Sobrados. Some have ornate facades, shaded patios and balconies representative. Although many of them are on the verge of decay, but since 2000, more and more acquired by private individuals and lovingly restored. The City Council is committed to the preservation of this unique Cabo Verde cultural heritage. São Filipe has been proposed for the list of world cultural heritage by UNESCO. In the Bila Baxo you will also find the central market and many shops, numerous craft shops, pubs, several restaurants and inns of the city.

• One of the most striking buildings in the city is the City Hall, completed in 1928 ( Camara Municipal) with its representative staircase, located in a small park with a bandstand.

• The main Catholic church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, with its two bell towers built at the end of the 19th century and renovated several times. The last renovation was completed in 2007. The place where it is located, is flanked by several mansions from the 18th century.

• The museum Casa da Memória is housed in an old trading house of 1820 at the historic houses fringed Praça 12 de Setembro. In the courtyard were endemic plants of the island of Fogo - such as Crabo bravo ( Erysimum Caboverdiana ) and Língua de vaca ( Echium vulcanorum ) - planted, which in part are threatened with extinction. Also, here is a traditional dwelling of lava was built faithfully in the past on Fogo widespread style. A portion of the courtyard is paved with natural stones of basalt.

• Is situated on the cliffs above the black beach of Praia da Bila in the northwest of the old town of Serpa Pinto Praça with several mansions colonial monuments and a small park. In its northern part, the Lookout Point da Bila Baxo, which especially in the evening offers a beautiful view of the beach and the neighboring island of Brava.

• In the south of the old town part of the 1667 -built fortress Fortim Carlota is obtained. The building, before an old cannon can still be seen, served as a prison until 2005 and is not currently used.

• South of the old the old cemetery with graves Antigo Cemitério from the 19th century is worth seeing, some of them can unmistakably recognize the classical style. Here funerals took place until the 1990s.

• Outside the old town is the small, square Praca Alberto da Silva with manicured gardens and a small chapel worth a visit. The tourists hardly visited place in which, inter alia, an internet café is located, was built on a hill and has a beautiful view of a part of the city and its surroundings.

Churches

Apart from the highly visible main church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the equally remarkable chapel at Praca Alberto da Silva there is in the city a New Apostolic Church and two municipalities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints.

Beaches

The Old Town stretches to the west up to about 40 m high sea cliffs, in front of the black, long sandy beach of Praia da Bila is. From here lends itself to some days a nice view of the neighboring island of Brava, especially in the evening. However the beach is not very suitable for swimming in the sea because it is not too clean and the sea on many days is rough.

For a dip in the sea is better suited to the beach at Porto de Vale de Cavaleiros, the 4 km north of the town harbor. Here bathe and locals, as the sea here is calm and the water despite the immediate vicinity of the port also cleaner. The most popular with locals and tourists beach is Ponta da Salina at São Jorge.