Why is Cidade Velha important in the history of Cabo Verde?

Cidade Velha, originally known as Ribeira Grande, holds significant historical importance as the oldest European city in the tropics, founded by Portuguese settlers on the island of Santiago in 1462.12

Its prominence in the history of Cabo Verde is defined by several key factors:

• Center of Trade: The city served as a vital offshore entrepôt during the development of the triangular trade. It functioned as a hub for exchanging European manufactured goods, firearms, and cloth for enslaved people, ivory, and gold.12
• Economic Hub: The city was renowned for the production of pano cloths—textiles woven by enslaved people that served as a valuable form of currency for the slave trade on the African mainland.12
• Strategic Capital: Ribeira Grande served as the capital of the islands until 1770. Its wealth and strategic importance eventually attracted pirates and foreign powers, leading to multiple attacks by the English and French, which ultimately contributed to the decision to move the capital to Praia.12