São Filipe (Portuguese for "Saint Philip"), or San Filipi in Cape Verdean Creole, is the city that constitutes the seat of the São Filipe Municipality on the isle of Fogo, in Cape Verde. It is located SW of the island and in the southwestern part of the island. It is known for its black sand beach, abundant gardens, trees, flowers, flora and its historic architecture and is also home to the island's airport located in the south, a port to the north and to a prison. The city offers a view of the neighboring island of Brava to the southwest. São Filipe was founded in the 16th century and is considered to be the second oldest town in Cabo Verde after Cidade de Ribeira Grande, but a town charter was not granted before 1922. In 1655 São Filipe was destroyed by Flemish pirates. The old city center, called Bila Baxo, is about 40 m above the sea. It is known for its colonial architecture. Since 2000, many houses have been renovated. Many houses have a colourful or richly-decorated façade, wooden balconies or bay windows. In addition to picturesque streets with smaller colonial houses there are about 50 representative mansions to be seen. São Filipe was proposed to be inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites because of its historic colonial buildings. One of the most representative buildings is the city hall (Camara Municipal) which was built in 1928. It is at a sightworthy place called Praça 12 de Setembro where a small parc and a wooden pavillon are worth a visit. The most important catholic church of the town is Nossa Senhora da Conceição which was built in a comparatively simple style at the end of the 19th century. The church with its two impressive clock towers was renovated several times. The last renovation was completed in 2007. Opposite the church there are several well-preserved colonial houses dating from the 18th century. The Market Hall is at the border of Bila Baxo to the more modern part of the city at Praca Franciso d'Assis, the busiest place. The most important bus stop and the post office are here as well. The Museum Casa da Memória is at Praça 12 de Setembro in a merchant's house which was built in 1820. The neighbouring house is the municipal museum (Museu Municipal). In its inner court several endemic plants of Fogo, some of which are endangered species, were planted, e.g. Crabo bravo (Erysimum caboverdiana) and Língua de vaca (Echium vulcanorum). A small house (Funco) was rebuilt in the traditional style using volcanic stones. A part of the pavement of the inner court consists of basalt stones. The historic place Praça Serpa Pinto is in the northwest of the center about 40 m above the beach Praia da Bila consisting of black volcanic sand. There are several colonial houses, monuments and a small parc. The view point Miradouro da Bila Baxo in the northern part of the place offers a beautiful view of the beach and the neighbouring island of Brava. A part of the fortress Fortim Carlota dating from 1667 is preserved in the southern part. An impressive canon can be seen in front. The building was used as a prison until 2005. In the south of the center, the old cemetery Antigo Cemitério, which was used until the end of the 20th century,is worth a visit. There are several graves in a classic style dating from the 19th century. Outside the historic city center, Praça Alberto da Silva, a rectangular place with a small parc and a chapel in a typical residential area seldom visited by tourists, is worth a visit. There are several shops, a bakery and a small internet café. The place offers a beautiful view of a part of the city and its surroundings. Apart from Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the oldest catholic church, there are a sightworthy chapel at Praça Alberto da Silva, a New Apostolic Church and two parishes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Praia da Bila, a black beach, is 40 m below the city center. It is not very clean, and on many days the sea is very rough. The inhabitants of the city prefer the beach at the harbour Porto de Vale de Cavaleiros, about 4 km in the north of Sao Filipe. In spite of the harbour, the water is cleaner and the sea is not so rough. The most popular beach of the island is Ponta da Sallina in São Jorge. São Filipe used to be the third largest city in Cape Verde, but now it is only the fifth largest.