Luanda - The population of Luanda city is commemorating Monday, January 25, the 434th anniversary of its foundation in 1575, Angop has learnt.
In 1575 the Portuguese captain Paudo Dias de Novais, while arriving at Cabo Island, set the first nucleus of Portuguese colonies: about 700 people, 350 of them armed men, religious, leaders, traders and public servants.
One year later, in 1576, acknowledging that there was not a firm place, he advanced for the firm land and founded São Paulo de Assunção de Luanda, and launched the foundation stone for the building of a church dedicated to São Sebastião, where is the Museum of the Armed Forces.
Thirty years later, with the increase of the European population and the number of buildings, the village became a city, by extending itself from São Miguel to the bordering square of the former Maria Pia Hospital, currently Josina Machel.
In the period of Iberia union, in 1618, was constructed São Pedro da Barra fortress. The city became the administrative centre of Angola, since 1627.
