velha

Velha is the feminine form of the Portuguese adjective velho, meaning old. It is used to describe things that are aged or historical. In geography and toponymy, Velha often appears as a component of place names to indicate an older part of a settlement or an origin that is considered historical.

In practice, Velha appears in several Lusophone toponyms. A well-known example in Portugal is Vila Velha de Ródão, a municipality in the central district of Castelo Branco, whose name translates roughly as “Old Village of Ródão.” In Cape Verde, Cidade Velha on the island of Santiago refers to the historic capital and is recognized for its colonial history; the site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beyond specific places, Velha can also occur as part of compound names within Portuguese-speaking communities, and may appear in surnames or family names that derive from toponyms or historical descriptors. The term thus functions both as a grammatical adjective and as a historical and geographical marker in Lusophone contexts.