Cultural Events
Religious and other Festivals The majority of the popular festivals and celebrations were also imported from the other islands, for example:
CARNAVAL
19TH OF MARCH - The festival of S. José in PALMEIRA
3RD QF MAY - Celebration of Santa Cruz
JUNE/JULY - The festival of the Popular Saints: St.Antonio, S.João and S.Pedro, respectively in PEDRA DO LUME, ALTO S.JOÂO and HORTELÃ.
15TH OF AUGUST - The festival of S.ra da Piedade (Our Lady of Pity) in PEDRA DO LUME.
15TH SEPTEMBER - Municipal Celebrations Municipal Day commemorates the founding of Sal's larger communities with a great many activities and its high point takes place at the Santa Maria Festival of Music, carried out on the beach with the same name. lt is a remarkable event and an essential part of the tourist circuit of Sal and Cape Verde due to the renown it has attained over the years.
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Thursday, 12 July 2007
History of Sal Island, Cape Verde
History
Sal was discoverd in 1640 and was first known as LLANA or PLANA meaning "flat'. It was given its present nome when a lagoon in a crater of an extinct volcano was discovered and in this place, after the rains, salt was produced. This crater is now known as PEDRA DO LUME.Practically uninhabited and used only for grazing animals by the neighbouring population of BOA VISTA, it was only when salt was discovered that Sal began to grow in importance and, in fact, salt became its main export right up until the middle of this century.With a strong contribution from Italy and the recognition that a fueling point for flights to South America was necessary, the International Airport was built in 1939. As a result, quite a large internal migration took place, particularly from S.Nicolau to Sal. This factor made possible the construction of the tourist complexes, which for the last 20 years have been growing, particularly in SANTA MARTA, the region where the old salt pits were. The main attraction of this area are the magnificent beaches and sea and the excellent conditions for practising water sports.
www.topa.co.uk
Sal was discoverd in 1640 and was first known as LLANA or PLANA meaning "flat'. It was given its present nome when a lagoon in a crater of an extinct volcano was discovered and in this place, after the rains, salt was produced. This crater is now known as PEDRA DO LUME.Practically uninhabited and used only for grazing animals by the neighbouring population of BOA VISTA, it was only when salt was discovered that Sal began to grow in importance and, in fact, salt became its main export right up until the middle of this century.With a strong contribution from Italy and the recognition that a fueling point for flights to South America was necessary, the International Airport was built in 1939. As a result, quite a large internal migration took place, particularly from S.Nicolau to Sal. This factor made possible the construction of the tourist complexes, which for the last 20 years have been growing, particularly in SANTA MARTA, the region where the old salt pits were. The main attraction of this area are the magnificent beaches and sea and the excellent conditions for practising water sports.
www.topa.co.uk
Maio - history of Maio, Cape Verde
History
The island was discovered on the 1st of May 1460 by the Portuguese navigators Diego Gomes and Antonio de Noli, and it was from the name of this month that the island "Maio" got its name.The economic activity of the island at the time was limited basically to the breeding of goats. Later, at the beginning of the XVII century,the production of salt brought more people to the island.As many English ships stopped here to get supplies, the port became known as Porto Inglês, which means English Port.In the XIX century, the export of salt to Brazil greatly boosted the economy. During the XX century, emmigration began and steadily increased. Life in Cabo Verde was difficult, mainly due to the terrible droughts that hit the country year after year.
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The island was discovered on the 1st of May 1460 by the Portuguese navigators Diego Gomes and Antonio de Noli, and it was from the name of this month that the island "Maio" got its name.The economic activity of the island at the time was limited basically to the breeding of goats. Later, at the beginning of the XVII century,the production of salt brought more people to the island.As many English ships stopped here to get supplies, the port became known as Porto Inglês, which means English Port.In the XIX century, the export of salt to Brazil greatly boosted the economy. During the XX century, emmigration began and steadily increased. Life in Cabo Verde was difficult, mainly due to the terrible droughts that hit the country year after year.
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Cultural Events Maio Cape Verde
Religious and other FestivalsThe two most important celebratians are:
3rd of MayThe May Festival, Festival of the "Santa Cruz" (Holy Cross)
24th, 25th and 26th of JuneThe Traditional celebrations of S.Joào
Weddings are also celebrated in a very traditianal way, with everyone getting together the night before to give presents and help in the preparations for the big day.
See www.topa.co.uk
3rd of MayThe May Festival, Festival of the "Santa Cruz" (Holy Cross)
24th, 25th and 26th of JuneThe Traditional celebrations of S.Joào
Weddings are also celebrated in a very traditianal way, with everyone getting together the night before to give presents and help in the preparations for the big day.
See www.topa.co.uk
CAPE VERDE MAIO ISLAND
A VISIT TO FIGUEIRA DA HORTA AND RIBEIRA DO JOÃO:This trip takes the visitor into the oasis. FIGUEIRA DA HORTA is about 6 km from the town of MAIO. The scenery is truly desert like and unusually attractive. The bird-life found here, well adapted to desert conditions, feeds on insects and can go without water for long periods of time.There is also another co-operative here in the shape of an African hut. On the road, out in the direction of Figueira Seca, there is an animal drinking trough. RIBEIRA DE JOÃO is the final stopping point and is a truly magnificent oasis.
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Salt Pits in Cape Verde
A VISIT TO THE SALT PITS AND THE MORRO-MORINHO:Although these extraordinary salt pits, 5000 m long and 1500 m wide, are no longer in use, they are well worth a visit. The vegetation in the area is very unique. Two typical species, called locally the "Marraça" and the "Salsola Soda" are the main ones to be found here.MORRO is a small village practically built along the road side. The local handicrafts of pots and other cooking utensils are very interesting. It has a very attractive beach and its clear waters are excellent for fishing.In the same vicinity, between Costa and Monte Batalha is a regian where there is absolutely no vegetation. The mirages that appear here make you feel as in you are in the open desert.A little further on is CALHETA, a small fishing port. It was in this region that the infra-structures for reforestation were introduced for cattle breeding purposes.CALHETA de BAIXO has two fine white sandy beaches, sheltered by the rock formations at both ends.Next on the route is MORRINHO, where to the north is another salt pit separated from the sea by about 1200 m.BAIA de SANTANA is a deserted beach in the shape of semi-circle. It is the beach that the fishermen from MORRINHO use and the turtles too are also fond of this beach.Nearby are two more beautiful beaches, BAIA de PORTO CAIS and PRAIA REAL, where the turtles can be seen and where there is an abundance of shellfish.
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Places to visit Cape Verde
Places to visit and Itineraries
In front of the capital of the island, the village of Sal-Rei, you will find the islet with the same name with signs of the historic Duque de Bragança Fort. Walking on the beach of Chave, you will arrive at Rabil which in the past was the most important location of the island. Here you may visit the church of S. Roque, the oldest of on Boa Vista that was built in 1801, and you may also tour a ceramic factory. We suggest that you return to Sal-Rei by the road passing through dunes and date-trees.By car, preferably in an off-road vehicle, from Rabil you will reach Povoação Velha, after having passed by Monte de Santo Antonio. Going Northwards, we recommend a drive through the rural areas and the villages of João Galego, Cabeço dos Tarrafes, until you reach the Morro Negro lighthouse, which is the most Eastern point of the Archipelago and the nearest to the African continent.
www.topa.co.uk
In front of the capital of the island, the village of Sal-Rei, you will find the islet with the same name with signs of the historic Duque de Bragança Fort. Walking on the beach of Chave, you will arrive at Rabil which in the past was the most important location of the island. Here you may visit the church of S. Roque, the oldest of on Boa Vista that was built in 1801, and you may also tour a ceramic factory. We suggest that you return to Sal-Rei by the road passing through dunes and date-trees.By car, preferably in an off-road vehicle, from Rabil you will reach Povoação Velha, after having passed by Monte de Santo Antonio. Going Northwards, we recommend a drive through the rural areas and the villages of João Galego, Cabeço dos Tarrafes, until you reach the Morro Negro lighthouse, which is the most Eastern point of the Archipelago and the nearest to the African continent.
www.topa.co.uk
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