Africa's jewel in the Atlantic
Cape Verde comprises a collection of nine populated islands (out of a total of 15) about 500 kms off the coast of West Africa. Cape Verde was discovered by the Portuguese seafarer Diego Afonso, he set foot on the island of Sao Nicolao. Later, Columbus set anchor in Cape Verde during his last voyage towards the Caribbean.
MINDELO
Mindelo, the capital of the island of São Vicente, is Cape Verde's cultural capital and has the most attractive city center in the Cape Verde Islands.
Mindelo rose to prominence in the 19th century when the British established a coaling station to supply steam ships.
The natural harbour is an extinct volcanic crater, whose walls have been eroded away be the sea on one side, offering calm sheltered waters in a strategic location in the Atlantic.
Today you can visit the bustling fruit & vegetable market and the fish market on the harbour shore or just wander around the streets and pop into some local artist galleries.. The charming colonial buildings, cobbled streets, numerous cafés, restaurants and a vibrant night-life make Mindelo a great place to visit.
Today you can visit the bustling fruit & vegetable market and the fish market on the harbour shore or just wander around the streets and pop into some local artist galleries.. The charming colonial buildings, cobbled streets, numerous cafés, restaurants and a vibrant night-life make Mindelo a great place to visit.
Music is everywhere. Many well known singers and musicians (Cesária Évora, Bau, Hernani) come from Mindelo.
The Carnival celebrations in February, particular in Mindelo and São Nicolau, and the music festivals in August on all the islands are meanwhile famous.
The beautiful green island of Santo Antão is a 1 hour ferry trip away and is a favourite excursion from Mindelo
There you can walk through beautiful valleys where papaya and mangroves are growing and then find yourself in a quaint coastal village, or hike down the side of an extinct volcanic crater!
Local Events
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Carnival
February
Cape Verdean love Carnival with their Brazillian style processions, with great joy and dynamism to fill its streets with costumed floats. Mindelo is also known for the famous mendinga style of Africa, people coming out on the streets in carnival costume bathed with black oil. Wherever you go you will be accompanied by drumming bands and people.
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Theatre Events
March & September
Mindelo is a magical city where the theater is one of the best gear that can embrace this spell and think, so it would be a crime to abandon this art in this city. As well as gather the most interesting scenic creators of the country and reveal new talents untapped, also aims to be a cultural focal point in Lusophone. The Theatre Festival Mindelact is presented to the public every year in September.
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São João
June
Being an island nation, the Festival of San Joao is one of the most important in the Cabo Verdien calender. San Joao is celebrated to keep sailors and fishermen safe at sea and return with a bountiful catch. There is everything: Religious ceremony (Mass), you eat, drink and dance accompanied by relentless drums, whistles, and a hip-grinding fertility dance called the "kolá San Djon". The party takes place in Ribeira de Julião, location that is distant few kilometers from the city of Mindelo.
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Kavala Fresk Festival
July
It is a festival that encompasses a range of activities connected, in order to tell the story of the Island, the importance of Porto Grande, the importance of Kavala and its cultural potential. Exhibition artists with works depicting the life in the sea, the port, the fishermen, the island's development linked to Porto Grande and recreational activities linked to the sea.
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Baía das Gatas Festival
August
Since 1984, the Music Festival of Baía das Gatas is held annually on the first end-of-week of full moon of August. Every year musicians come from all over the world for this great music festival which obviously dominated by African rhythms. In addition to the action of artists and national and foreign bands, there are also water sports and a varied cultural program.