Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Minister of Culture and Creative Industries, Augusto Veiga, stated this Monday in Cidade Velha that the requalification of the São Veríssimo Fort will boost tourism, heritage preservation, and local community development.
Augusto Veiga made these remarks to the press at the end of his visit yesterday afternoon, the 20th, to the works at the São Veríssimo Fort in Cidade Velha, Ribeira Grande de Santiago municipality, where he highlighted the impact of the restoration and musealization works on the monument’s revitalization of tourism, heritage preservation, and local community development.
The São Veríssimo Fort, built around 1590, was part of the old city’s defensive system against frequent pirate attacks.
The ongoing requalification aims to transform the space into a new point of tourist and cultural interest in Cidade Velha.
The works include the consolidation of the walls, paving, replacement of the cannons in their original locations, restoration of structural elements, lighting, and installation of interpretive elements, being financed by the Government through the Tourism Fund, within the scope of the implementation of the Tourism Operational Plan.
Augusto Veiga stated that the fort represents an “important” component of the urban and environmental requalification of the Old City.
“This fort is completely changed compared to what it was a few months ago. It is very important for the Old City’s tourist circuit, but it also has a relevant community aspect,” he declared.
According to the minister, the space should house activities related to the restoration, cultural initiatives promoted by the community, and events of civil society, under the management of the Institute of Cultural Heritage (IPC).
The official said that the investment is around seven million escudos and is part of a set of eight projects planned for the Old City, some already completed and others still underway.
In the context of International Museum Day, he also announced an open discussion on tourism, heritage, and community development, using the São Veríssimo Fort as an example of the connection between historical preservation and community participation.
The works, which began in 2025, should be fully completed by the end of 2027, according to the minister, who reiterated the intention to transform the space into a “living heritage,” open for permanent public use.
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