Praia

Praia

The capital and largest city of Cape Verde, Praia is located on the south coast of the island of Santiago, within the Sotavento archipelago, and is the seat of the Praia Municipality. The city of Praia is the economic, political and cultural center of Cape Verde. The city is home to the Museu Etnográfico, founded in 1997. One of the oldest buildings in Praia is the Jaime Mota Barracks, built in 1826. The historic center of the town has been on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites since 2016. Highlights of the colonial city center include Albuquerque Square, the 1920s Old City Hall, the Presidential Palace built for the Portuguese governor in the late 19th century, and the Monumento de Diogo Gomes, which is named after the Portuguese navigator who discovered Santiago in 1460. The Farol de Dona Maria Pia lighthouse stands at the entrance to Praia Harbour, at the headland Ponta Temerosa, 2 km south of the city center. Named after the then Portuguese Queen Maria Pia of Savoy, the lighthouse was built in 1881. The height of the octagonal tower is 21 m, and its focal plane is 25 m above average sea level. The lighthouse, painted white, is used for navigation purposes.