An Early Christian Church in the Tropics: Excavation of the N.ª S.ª da Conceição, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde

Excavations at the historic site of Cidade Velha, Cape Verde, have revealed the earliest known European-built Christian church in the Tropics. The N.ª S.ª da Conceição, dating back to the early 16th century, was reconstructed as a large, two-storey structure with distinct architectural features such as a vaulted side-chapel and buttressed corners. Two tombstones found within its floor provide further evidence of its antiquity. This discovery sheds light on the early Christian presence in tropical regions during the colonial period.

EVANS, C., SØRENSEN, M.-L. S., & RICHTER, K. (2012). An Early Christian Church in the Tropics: Excavation of the N.ª S.ª da Conceição, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde. Brokers of Change. https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197265208.003.0008