Cathedral of São Tomé, Roman Catholic cathedral in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe.
The Cathedral of São Tomé occupies a prominent location at Praça do Povo with a neo-romanesque façade and eclectic architectural features. The building underwent major renovation in 1956 and now serves as an important landmark in the city center.
The church was founded in the late fifteenth century under Captain Álvaro de Caminha and received diocesan status in 1534 during the Portuguese colonial period. This gave the building significant religious authority in the early settlement.
The cathedral serves as a central place of Catholic faith in São Tomé and Príncipe, where Portuguese religious traditions remain deeply rooted in daily life. Visitors encounter a space that holds spiritual meaning for many locals.
The cathedral is located in the city center near the Presidential Palace and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors should enter with respect for the religious nature of the site and observe local customs.
In the 1490s, around 2,000 Jewish children from the Iberian Peninsula were brought to this church for Catholic education and conversion. This chapter of island history remains largely unknown to most visitors today.
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