Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe- 1 of 2- A (small) National Museum in a (small) nation

São Tomé is the capital and largest city of the Central African island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its name is Portuguese for “Saint Thomas.” Founded in the 15th century, it is one of Africa’s oldest colonial cities. The nation comprises two islands, aptly named Sao Tome and Principe. Thus, the nation’s official name is the Democratic Republic of San Tome and Principe. It is the second-smallest and second-least populous African nation. The legacy of long Portuguese rule is visible in the country’s architecture, culture, customs, and music, which fuse European and African influences.

The islands’ National Museum is housed in a small 16th-century fort named San Sebastiao. The Portuguese built the fortress in 1566 to protect the port and city of São Tomé against pirate attacks. The exhibits are mainly religious art and colonial-era artifacts, with a smattering of colonial history. Many exhibits are decaying and show the effects of a lack of care, but they give a feel for the small nation and its population.

The Entrance Yard

Inner Courtyard and Museum