Paciência

Paciência is a small village at the transition between the fertile hills and the dense rainforests of Príncipe's interior. The Portuguese name, „patience“, likely refers to the secluded location and the slow, unhurried way of life of its inhabitants. The small community traditionally lives off the gathering of wild spices: black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and pimenta-da-terra grow in mixed cultures under the shade of the tropical forest and are harvested in small quantities for local and international markets. Paciência is also known for its community of traditional healers who treat ailments with plants such as pau-cabra, bom-pé and mucambo, knowledge passed down orally through generations. Hidden paths lead from the village into the island's heart, to underground springs, old roça ruins and the iconic phonolith towers that rise from the primeval forest like stone teeth and form Príncipe's geological signature.

Nearby cities

Paciência (Upper Village)

The upper village of Paciência lies at the foot of Príncipe's steep mountains, a place of cool mornings and deep silence.

Santo António

Santo António, the charming capital of Príncipe Island, is a town gently nestled on the banks of the Palhota River.

Abade

Abade is a fishing village on the northeast coast of Príncipe where the Atlantic rolls ashore with a rare gentleness.

Paciência (Coast)

The coastal part of Paciência is a place of gentle bays and rhythmic sea sounds where time seems to stand still on the golden beaches.

Esperança

Esperança bears the name of hope and is a shining example of the joy of life in the interior of Príncipe.

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Nova Estrela

Nova Estrela sits like a sparkling jewel on the cliffs of Príncipe's east coast, a place of new hope and wide horizons.

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Esperança (Valley)

The Esperança valley is an oasis of tranquility and fertility where life proceeds at a leisurely pace.

São Joaquim (Forest Edge)

The forest edge of São Joaquim is a place of transition where civilization shakes hands with the dense Obô jungle.

Abade (North)

The northern part of Abade is a place of wide horizons and maritime freedom where the gaze wanders boundlessly over the Atlantic.

Picão

Picão is a place of colors and dense green hidden in the mountainous hinterland of Príncipe.

São Joaquim

São Joaquim is a historic hamlet in the heart of Príncipe where ruins of an old Roça tell of the power of time.

Picão (Hills)

The Picão hills are an oasis of green where clouds often gently brush the canopy of the forest giants.

Belo Monte

Belo Monte perches on a headland in northeastern Príncipe, offering arguably the most breathtaking view of the entire archipelago.

Sundy

Sundy is a place of science and stars nestled in the gentle plains of northern Príncipe.

Belo Monte (Coast)

The coastal part of Belo Monte is a place of dramatic cliffs and azure sea where the Atlantic reveals its full primal force.

History & landmarks

Santo António Market

The Santo António Market on Príncipe Island is a colorful meeting place where local products from the rainforest and the sea are offered.

Regional Government Palace

The Regional Government Palace in Santo António is the administrative center of the autonomous region of Príncipe.

Port of Santo António

The small but vital Port of Santo António is the logistical backbone of Príncipe Island.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is the religious landmark of Santo António on Príncipe.

Ponta da Mina Lighthouse

The Ponta da Mina Lighthouse is located at the eastern tip of the Santo António Bay on Príncipe.

Eddington Monument

The Eddington Monument at Roça Sundy commemorates the 1919 scientific expedition during which Sir Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theo…

More places

Roça Infante D. Henrique

This plantation on Príncipe, named after the famous Portuguese prince, stands out for its well-preserved administrative buildings.

Príncipe Children's Leisure Center

The children's leisure center in Santo António is the hub for play and education for the children on Príncipe Island.

Pico Bastião

Pico Bastião is a distinctive geological formation on Príncipe Island.

Logistics Port of Santo António

The logistics port of Santo António is Príncipe Island's only maritime link to the outside world.

Príncipe Parrot Sanctuary

Deep within the protected biosphere reserve of Príncipe lies a special conservation area for the endemic Príncipe parrot.

Príncipe Rainforest

The Príncipe rainforest is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is considered one of Africa's best-preserved ecosystems.

Fort of Santo António da Ponta da Mina

This fort was built in the 17th century to protect the bay of Santo António on Príncipe from maritime attacks.

Roça Porto Real

Located on Príncipe Island, Porto Real was one of the most powerful plantations in the archipelago.