The Groot Constantia Manor House takes us back to 1965…

When: Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (Closed on Christmas & Workers Day)
Where: Groot Contantia Estate, Constantia, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 795 5140
What to expect: South African History dating back to 1685 in Constantia told through the display of buildings, exhibitions, collections and artefacts.
Entrance Fee: Adults R30/6-18 yrs R15/SA Students & Pensioners R15/Under 5 yrs Free Entry

IZIKO Museums all across Cape Town offer the best display when telling the stories behind the city’s fascinating cultures and earliest developments. The Groot Constantia Manor House takes us back to 1685 when Simon van der Stel acquired a farm of more than 2454 hectares and named it; Constantia.

Groot Constantia Wine Estate is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa and after Simon van der Stel personally named the piece of land, he then built himself a double-story house on it.

Following van der Stel’s occupancy, the manor was home to several families, upgraded by Hendrik Cloete around the end of the 1700’s and finally, years later, the Cloete family decided to sell Groot Constantia by auction in 1885. In 1925 the manor was severely damaged by fire but restoration and refurbishment in the following years lead to the Groot Constantia Manor House becoming a respected historical site in the story of the founding of Cape Town by the West and beyond.

Situated close to the Groot Constantia Manor house is the Orientation Centre in the Jonkershuis complex. Here, the history regarding the farm is portrayed by using panel, object and archaeological displays. Amazing insight and information is also given about the slavery times on the estate and makes for a very good overview of the farm and the different people inhabiting this historic piece of land over time.

The Wine Museum’s exhibition also includes storage and drinking vessels with displays of Carriages in the Coach House and old Wine Cellar…

The Groot Constantia Manor House has detailed exhibitions of furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics, brass and copper ware portrayed in the style of successful 18^th and early 19^th century Cape farmers.

Exquisite detail is given to each room and every decorative element contributes to giving the visitor an authentic insight into the time, space and era. The grand dining hall in the manor is made available to host events and banquets and has a capacity of hosting 35 people. The modern boardroom also functions independently from the rest of the museum, and can host a maximum of 12 delegates in style.

For more information regarding hiring the venue: venuehire@iziko.org.za or find out more from Groot Constantia itself.

Content: Ed Beukes