The main streets of the city centre of Mindelo are
Avenida Marginal along the waterfront, and the perpendicular
Rua Libertadores de África (former
Rua Lisboa). The main squares are Praça Estrela in the south of the centre, and
Praça Amílcar Cabral in the north. Many colonial buildings from the 19th and early 20th century have been preserved. Sites of interest include: •
Paços do Concelho, built 1860–1873, the city hall of the municipality of São Vicente •
Palácio do Povo (People's Palace), the former
Palácio do Governo (Government Palace), built in 1874, expanded in 1928-34 •
Our Lady of the Light Cathedral, Catholic church built in 1862, seat of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Mindelo •
Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design, built as the house of Senator Vera Cruz at the end of the 19th century, now houses exhibitions from Cape Verdean craftsmen • Torre de Belém, on the waterfront, a 1918-1937 replica of the
Belém Tower in Lisbon • Municipal market, built in 1878 • the former Customs House, now the Cultural Centre of Mindelo, built in 1858-1860 •
Escola Jorge Barbosa (
Liceu Velho), built in 1873 as the residence of the Governor ==Gallery==