Cultural heritage · Sao Tome and Principe
The Roças of Sao Tome and Principe: Colonial Agricultural System and Forced Migration
The serial property comprises six geographically separate roças (Portuguese colonial agricultural plantations) located on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe: Monte Café, Agua Izé, Diogo Vaz, Sao Joao, Sundy, and Belo Monte. Together, they represent a planned colonial plantation system dedicated primarily to coffee and cocoa production, combining agricultural land, industrial infrastructure, residential areas, and social facilities within highly structured spatial layouts. The property illustrates the operation of a large-scale colonial agro-industrial system, based on forced migration and labour, from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, to sustain global commodity production after the abolition of slavery.
Heritage at a glance
- First inscribed
- 2026
- UNESCO region
- Africa
- Selection criteria
- (iv)
- Property area (hectares)
- 72.9
Places within this listing
This is a serial property with 6 components in the imported record.
View the component places
- Sao Joao (1750-004)
- Agua Izé (1750-002)
- Diogo Vaz (1750-003)
- Sundy (1750-005)
- Monte Café (1750-001)
- Belo Monte (1750-006)