São Sebastião Museum

I'm sure this museum has the potential to be much greater with just a bit more care. Entrance fee was 50 STN (2 EUR) per person, and you can climb the lighthouse on the 2nd floor for a better view of the beaches; just be careful climbing the ladder.

It's worth the 4€ entrance fee. Both of the employees I interacted with were kind. The fort is nice but the star of the show is the lighthouse on top. Besides that, outside you see big walls, cannons, some statues, a courtyard and beautoful views of the bay. Inside, there are exhibits with various themes. Some of them are crafts, others are religious. Upstairs is a history section about the colonial period and Sao Tome's struggle for independence (some brutal photos in one room). It's a shame that this is only available in Portuguese, since I don't speak the local language and would have loved to read about this - maybe consider translations (either other boards in common languages like English, French, etc. or QR codes that visitors can scan with automated translations?). In places, it is a little tired and could do with a fresh curation.

National museum with nice overview of Sao Tomean history. The building itself is also very impressive.

São Tomé and Príncipe played a pivotal role in the history of slavery, particularly as the birthplace of the plantation system that later spread to the Americas. Here’s a detailed overview of its significance: 1. Origins of Plantation Slavery São Tomé was the first place where the Portuguese established a largescale, slavebased plantation economy in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The island's uninhabited status and fertile land made it an ideal testing ground for sugar production using enslaved African labor . The Praia Melão sugar mill now under archaeological study, is one of the earliest examples of this system, where enslaved Africans performed all tasks—from farming to construction—under brutal conditions . 2. Hub of the Transatlantic Slave Trade The islands became a critical transit point for enslaved Africans shipped to Brazil and the Caribbean. São Tomé acted as a Slave Islands depot, where captives from West and Central Africa (e.g., Benin, Kongo, Angola) were gathered before transatlantic voyages . By the 1530s, São Tomé briefly dominated Europe’s sugar market, but competition from Brazil and slave revolts led to its decline . 3. Resistance and Revolts Enslaved Africans frequently escaped to mountainous mocambos (maroon communities). The most famous rebellion was led by Amador in 1595, who destroyed sugar mills and nearly overthrew Portuguese rule before being executed. He is now a national hero, commemorated on currency and with a national holiday . 4. Legacy and Transition After sugar declined, São Tomé shifted to cocoa and coffee in the 19th century, still relying on forced labor under abusive contract systems until the 20th century . The island’s genetic and cultural diversity today reflects centuries of admixture between African, European, and Creole populations, with distinct communities like the Angolares (descendants of maroons) . 5. Archaeological and Historical Rediscovery Recent excavations at Praia Melão aim to uncover the daily lives of enslaved people, challenging the island’s overlooked role in shaping global slavery .

A place with a much bigger potential. Underfunded and run down. But still worth a visit.

Place was quite and serene. As we had an opportunity with my friends to learn about the history, culture and spirit of the people of Sao Tome.

The lighthouse, which remains on this island where the first prototype of colonial brutality was produced, is a vivid reminder of Portuguese oppression. It will guide future generations, distinguishing friend from foe.

We visited this museum and we loved it! The lady working here as a tour guide knew everything about the objects and the building. I strongly recommend visiting this building if you go to Sao tome.