Centro Cultural do Mindelo
Centro Cultural do Mindelo
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
17 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
825Sarah
Birmingham, UK194 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
We have been to Mindelo twice now, both as a one day port of call whilst on a cruise. We have had a pleasant time on both occasions, though if you are seeking glamour and modern shopping centres this is not the port for you. If however you like to explore every port and seek out what it has to offer, you can certainly enjoy your time here. The scope of the excursions offered from the ship (or rather the lack of) give a good indication of what you might expect here.
It is a short walk along the port road, though a minibus shuttle has been offered each time we have visited.As you walk along the coast road you will see fishermen and as you reach the town, they will be gutting and selling fish on the beach. It is a very laid back place and understand that unemployment is extremely high and so many people 'hanging around'.
Still on the waters edge you will find a small fishing museum 'Museu do Mar' (based on the style of the Belem Tower in Lisbon) which is certainly worth a look and then next along is the fish market, which can be interesting to see what different countries have on offer. There isn't really anything if you continue on further, but if you now head inland you will find the market square, which has a differing number of stalls depending on the day. You will see many beautiful blue and white art tiles, also as seen in Portugal.
If you now take the street parallel to the coast road, you will find a rather nice gallery/craft shop and also the church. Onward and then to the right you will find an indoor market (can't quite remember but it may be the old town hall) and also see the beautiful colonial architecture of the pink palace, Palacio do Povo (Peoples palace). The University is located behind this, accessed to the right as you look at the Palace.
Back down to the harbour and you will find the cultural centre - a small affair but easy to walk into, friendly staff, local music playing (CD not live) and some interesting artwork on display (though it does change so may just depend how you catch it). They also sell stamps so you can send your postcards much cheaper than on ship.
Back on the waters edge where the shuttle bus departs is a tourist centre, which offers a very pleasant stop for a beverage! Our first visit was at the weekend and a local performing group entertained us for a hour or so, but our subsequent visit was a weekday and this did not occur. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. The wind breaks were much appreciated on the breezy and cool January day, which was quite a contrast from the blazing hot sun we experienced thee previous time in April.
Some fellow passengers felt ill at ease here and if looking at the photographs this may apply to you, perhaps consider booking one of the ships excursions so that at least you see a little of the island.
It is a short walk along the port road, though a minibus shuttle has been offered each time we have visited.As you walk along the coast road you will see fishermen and as you reach the town, they will be gutting and selling fish on the beach. It is a very laid back place and understand that unemployment is extremely high and so many people 'hanging around'.
Still on the waters edge you will find a small fishing museum 'Museu do Mar' (based on the style of the Belem Tower in Lisbon) which is certainly worth a look and then next along is the fish market, which can be interesting to see what different countries have on offer. There isn't really anything if you continue on further, but if you now head inland you will find the market square, which has a differing number of stalls depending on the day. You will see many beautiful blue and white art tiles, also as seen in Portugal.
If you now take the street parallel to the coast road, you will find a rather nice gallery/craft shop and also the church. Onward and then to the right you will find an indoor market (can't quite remember but it may be the old town hall) and also see the beautiful colonial architecture of the pink palace, Palacio do Povo (Peoples palace). The University is located behind this, accessed to the right as you look at the Palace.
Back down to the harbour and you will find the cultural centre - a small affair but easy to walk into, friendly staff, local music playing (CD not live) and some interesting artwork on display (though it does change so may just depend how you catch it). They also sell stamps so you can send your postcards much cheaper than on ship.
Back on the waters edge where the shuttle bus departs is a tourist centre, which offers a very pleasant stop for a beverage! Our first visit was at the weekend and a local performing group entertained us for a hour or so, but our subsequent visit was a weekday and this did not occur. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. The wind breaks were much appreciated on the breezy and cool January day, which was quite a contrast from the blazing hot sun we experienced thee previous time in April.
Some fellow passengers felt ill at ease here and if looking at the photographs this may apply to you, perhaps consider booking one of the ships excursions so that at least you see a little of the island.
Written November 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralph R
London, UK393 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
The museum was well set out with local artefacts, and some fabulous fabric work
....a combination of hand made carpet, collage and embroidery with wool. Stunning and very clever.
The souvenir shop sold some local paintings ...excellent .....and some interesting local souvenirs. We watched some Portuguese based dancing and singing that took place at the museum. The three man group was great as was the singing, .and the dancing was a combination of jive, and sometimes exceedingly suggestive but with taste! Each island in the group has its own dance, not necessarily music, so each dance was very different. Sitting in the courtyard tasting the local grog ...43% proof....it was very pleasant indeed!
....a combination of hand made carpet, collage and embroidery with wool. Stunning and very clever.
The souvenir shop sold some local paintings ...excellent .....and some interesting local souvenirs. We watched some Portuguese based dancing and singing that took place at the museum. The three man group was great as was the singing, .and the dancing was a combination of jive, and sometimes exceedingly suggestive but with taste! Each island in the group has its own dance, not necessarily music, so each dance was very different. Sitting in the courtyard tasting the local grog ...43% proof....it was very pleasant indeed!
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worldtraveller
Witney, UK1,278 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
I was not impressed with the building generally, but we were lucky enough to visit it just after a special Carnival exhibition had been set up. This displayed several of the actual costumes worn during carnival, as well as a rolling film of some of the highlights of the 2016 carnival. It is definitely worth visiting for this if the exhibition is still running.
Written March 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa H
Texada Island, Canada6,354 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This is a very central building and easy to walk into and there was no admission fee. The first time we went by there was nothing really going on, but with a lot of activity of changing paintings and art work. Several visits later there was a band playing inside and then a choir. The craft/souvenir store has some same same items but also offers unique one of a kind (or at least we did not see duplicates at other stores) trinkets. Worth while to check this building out as you pass by each time.
Written June 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vinfan
Sonoma, CA651 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
The center is located in an interesting old building across from the waterfront and houses an excellent little shop with local handicrafts. On this barren windswept island, recycling reigns and you'll find wallets made from colorful local coffee bags, bracelets made from aluminum can pull-tabs and jewelry crafted from K-cup coffee containers. And it's all really attractive! You can also purchase local coffee and rum, along with CDs of famed singer Cesaria Evora, a native daughter.
Written June 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rvwr2012
Billericay, UK877 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
This is a large building across the road from the seafront. It is quite large with high ceilings which make the whole building cool. There is an exhibition space as you come in with a shop on the right, and a library further back on the left and a theatre/lecture room at the rear behind a central courtyard. Public toilets were very welcome.
Written January 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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