Mindelo Sites

Farmer's market in downtown Mindelo

The wide streets, cobbled squares and 19th-century European architecture all contribute to the sense of colonial history in Mindelo.

Sao Vicente

Mindelo Branch, Chapel is upstairs

Presidential Palace

Night scene of Mindelo

This rock in the ocean was of little use to anyone before the end of the 18th century.  After its discovery on 22 January 1462, and the traditional release of goats to prey on its delicate vegetation, humans forgot about it, except to land there occasionally with dogs.  Sao Vicente has one superlative natural resource.  The island's harbour is a sweeping curve formed by a crater rim over whose northern side the sea has breached.
In the background is Monte Cara, or face mountain!

Mindelo, the capital, has an air of importance about it these days and is growing wealthier.  Has European flavor.

Great Leadership Meetings

Cabo Verde Missionaries

The First Quorum of the Seventy-Erich W.Kopischke, Mission President Roberto Oliveira and Sister Oliveira

The First Quorum of the Seventy-JoseA. Teixeira, Erich W. Kopischke, Branch leaders, and Mission President Roberto Oliveira at Praia 1,3,5 Branch Chapel

Beauty in Praia

Sister Laimana and Sister Brooks getting ready to go home

Yummie, rolls or your bread you buy every other day since there are no perservatives added, it can get hard as a rock quickly, 10 cents a roll!

BEAUTY COMES IN VARIOUS WAYS

FLOWERS GROWN AT GAS STATION

FRESHLY IRONED BAPTISMAL CLOTHES

CATUS STARTED BLOOMING IN JUNE

Praia 5th Branch had 50 members attend a day outing to Cidade Velha where we sang hymns, played games, hiked and ate .  Strolling along Rua Banana with thatched roofs, taking in the charm of this quaint city.  Previously you were able to see the old fort, and cathederal ruins of 1560.

Cidade Velha

Ribeira Grande is where the history of Cape Verde begins.  It was here the Fort Real do Sao Filipe was built 1585 sacking and intended to guard primarly against attack from overland.  Its extraordinarily thick wall were build with brick from Lisbon; its turrets with their little windows give a wide view over the Atlantic and the village.

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 Gateway entrance

Water cistern within the Fort's walls

Canons are ready for firing

Original ramp for canons to go and up down the walls

Small pits are for 10 prisoners

Looking south towards the city

Cathedral--Inside are the remains of its 1m-thick walls, begun by the third bishop of Cape Verde, Francisco da Cruz, in 1556.

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From the west side of the Fort, the lush valley of trees, plantations, and fresh bananas, mangos, papayas, and sugar cane.

Today archaeologists are trying to piece together what the city was like.    Origins of Cape Verdean culture, the histor of slavery, and on Jesuit history as well.

In 1676, the ambitious original plans were scaled down and it was proposed to build only a sanctuary about 24m long .   But the energetic Bishop Vitoriano Portuense, who arrived in 1688, returned to the original design and it was completed in 1693.  Its life was short, however, in 1712, it was attacked and virtually destroyed by French pirate Jacques Cassard.

PELOURINHO  This 16th-century pilory was used for punishment of slaves.  It is arresting symbol of inhumanity.

Igreia e Convento de Sao Francisco  Built about 1640 as monastery