São Joaquim

São Joaquim is a small, history-laden roça settlement in the central highlands of Príncipe Island, sitting at around 350 meters elevation in a dense valley crossed by numerous streams. The plantation was founded in the mid-19th century and was among the roças that used particularly sophisticated hydraulic installations: even today, remnants of water channels, drying chambers and wooden water wheels used to process cocoa beans and coffee can be seen on the overgrown walls. After decades of decline, the site is being revived by botanical research teams from Lisbon, Coimbra and São Paulo, who document endemic species of Príncipe's lowland forests here. Residents also maintain traditional cocoa harvest festivals during which families ferment, dry and try out new chocolate recipes together. São Joaquim thus combines industrial-archaeological heritage, living natural research and an authentic slice of São Toméan roça culture.

Nearby cities

Picão

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

São Joaquim (Forest Edge)

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

Sundy

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

Santo António

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

Picão (Hills)

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

Sundy (Coast)

The coastal part of Sundy is a place of wide beaches and deep blue sea where the Atlantic reveals its full beauty.

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.

Paciência

Paciência lies on the edge of Príncipe's rainforests, a place where the name says it all and nature's tranquility heals the soul.

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.

Abade

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

Esperança

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

Belo Monte (Hinterland)

This part of Belo Monte leads deeper into the untamed interior of Príncipe where the forest giants darken the sky.

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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.

Belo Monte

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

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.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

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

Regional Government Palace

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

Eddington Monument

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

Port of Santo António

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

Ponta da Mina Lighthouse

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

More places

Roça Porto Real

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

Roça Ribeira Izé

Ribeira Izé was the site of the first settlement 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.

Pico Papagaio

Pico Papagaio, also called Parrot Mountain, is a prominent, cone-shaped elevation on Príncipe that rises like a green pyramid from the fo…

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.

Roça Infante D. Henrique

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

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.