Praia Museum Center

An estate several centuries old

Cape Verde was, for several centuries, a strategic location for international navigation. Disputed by several European countries that crossed the Atlantic to discover new lands, it ended up being the final destination of several vessels of different nationalities, in particular Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and English, throughout some centuries, and many of them were destroyed by other boats, or cannons of fortresses, such as that of San Filipe.
Thus, the spoils from several of these ships were found in Cape Verdean waters, and gathered in the museum nucleus of Praia, on the island of Santiago.

Objects that tell stories

Navigational instruments, gold coins, and personal effects tell many stories about the ships and the way their passengers lived. The partnerships established between the Cape Verdean government and other national and international organizations have allowed objects to be identified, preserved, and catalogued according to their origin. Thus, the objects have a high historical value, and refer to shipwrecks among the centuries. XVI and XIX. Something similar can be found on the island of Boa Vista, at the Museu dos Náufragos

Why visit?

Guided tours

It is possible to learn about the history of some of the ships by requesting a guided tour. Exciting stories, told by those who have dedicated their lives to the study and conservation of these objects.

A unique exhibition

There are not always exhibitions with riches of so many different origins together, which the bottom of the sea held until the end of the last century, when the expeditions to recover this booty were started, If you are a history lover, of the time of the discoveries, or a curious person, this is an exhibition that, despite being only in one room, you should not miss.