Learn the history of the 3.6-meter-high bronze statue dedicated to Silva Porto, a Portuguese merchant.

Still with bullet marks and without an arm, the statue is a tribute to António Francisco Ferreira da Silva Porto, a diplomat between the Portuguese and native tribes.

THE MAN BEHIND THE STATUE

Antonio Francisco Ferreira da Silva Porto was a Portuguese trader and explorer known among the people of Cuito, where he established himself as a trader. He committed suicide wrapped in a Portuguese flag as a protest after his request to return to Portugal was denied

WHERE IS BELMONTE?

Belmonte, Silva Porto and now Cuíto. All refer to the Cuito region. This city of Bie began to be called Belmonte, changed to Silva Porto and is now named Cuito, after Angola's declaration of independence.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to get there:

By road: Cuito is linked by road with Huambo, Kwanza Sul, Malanje, Moxico and Kuando Kubango. Some sections of these roads are under repair.

By plane: TAAG has connections between Luanda and Joaquim Kapango Airport in Cuito.