Historical Cape Town Day Trip
Paarl to Cape Town for a Historical outing to The Castle, Distict Six Museum & Robben Island
Cape Town is only 30 minutes away from Paarl (66km) and here is a full day outing to get a crash course in South Africa’s history. You must start early!
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. It was built between 1666 and 1679.
The entrance is a unique example of 17th century Dutch classicism.
The bell, cast in 1697 by Claude Fremy in Amsterdam, still hangs in the tower from its original wooden beams.
During restoration of the inner courtyard, the foundations of the early 18th century bakery and pool were discovered.
The building, currently known as Het Bakhuys (‘t Bakhuijs), has been reconstructed on these foundations.
There are free guided tours at 11am, 12pm and 2pm which are worthwhile and the best time to go for any action is in the morning so that you can witness the traditional ceremony where the castle guards hand over the keys to the commander. This happens at 10am and again at noon in front of the Kat Balcony where the Governor used to make his speeches & proclamations. A small cannon is also fired off at this point. Dont forget to take a look at the pitch black dungeons where prisoners were kept below sea level.
If it takes your fancy you can also take an old fashioned carriage ride from the castle and if you are looking for something entirely different, they do also host parties at the Castle which makes a very unique place to dance the night away.
How to get there
The Castle of Good Hope sits in the centre of Cape Town and 30 minutes drive from Paarl. It is situated at the Corner of Darling and Buitenkant Streets. Cape Town’s Red Bus Tour stops at the Castle of Good Hope.
GPS Coordinates: 33°92’46.58″S and 18°42’62.29″E
The facts & figures
Adults: ZAR 28,00 / Pensioners (SA card holders only): ZAR 15,00 / Children/Students(5-16yrs): ZAR 12,00 / Booked School Groups: ZAR 5,00
Gates open: 09h00 daily (last entry 15h30 – close at 16h00)
Note
- The Key Ceremony: Monday-Friday (10h00 & 12h00)
- The Firing of Signal Cannon: Monday-Friday (10h10 & 12h10), Saturday (11h00 & 12h00)
- The Castle of Good Hope is closed to the public on Christmas Day (25 Dec) and New Year (01 Jan).
Contact
Telephone: +27 21 787 1260
Tour Bookings: +27 21 787 1249
Source: www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
Cape Town is well known for its District Six Museum which houses vast amounts of information on the history and memories of the past.
District Six was an area of Cape Town in the 1970’s that housed almost one tenth of the population of Cape Town.
In the year 1965 the apartheid government at the time stated that District Six was now a “white” area.
This resulted in more than sixty thousand people being forced to move and relocate to the Cape Flats.
Following this controversial clearance of the area history was made and all the sad memories and also the triumphs have been stored and captured within the museum – a legacy for all eternity. This museum is a heritage project and is dedicated to serving the people of Cape Town, the Western Cape Town as well as all parts of South Africa.
Its time to take some time out of your busy schedule and step back into history to support the organisation and learn a little more about the past.
Opening times:
09h00–14h00 Mondays (doors close at 13h30)
09h00 – 16h00 Tuesdays – Saturdays (Sundays are by appointment only)
25a Buitenkant Street, Cape Town.
Site tours of the District Six area
The museum offers a guided tour of the area. It is conducted by an ex resident either as a walking tour or in a vehicle. The site tours MUST be booked in advance. To book a tour please call the Museum on 021 466 7200.
Robben Island was a high security prison between 1961 and 1991 and is infamous for the incarceration of Nelson Mandela.
Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, is world famous as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in jail. (Image: South African Tourism)
Nelson Mandela is the most famous past prisoner of Robben Island but others include prominent figures such as Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Jacob Zuma.
Today the prison is a museum and a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price they paid for freedom.
How to get there
Enter the V&A waterfront via the main entrance (Hans Strydom Ave) and ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway near the Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront.
What to expect
Nelson Mandela working in the Robben Island prison garden in 1977. The photograph, which is simply titled “A prisoner in the garden” in the National Archives, was taken by a media contingent sponsored by the apartheid government. (Image: National Archives, courtesy Nelson Mandela Foundation)
One disembarks the ferry at Murray’s Bay on the Eastern side of the Island and you will then be escorted by your (ex political prisoner) guide. You will see the high security prison where Nelson Mandela and other struggle heroes were held. You will also see the limestone quarry where they worked and the rest of the tour around the island includes the lighthouse built in 1863 and the Moturu Kramat which is a holy site for muslims.
The facts & figures
Ferries depart at 9am, 11am and 1pm, weather permitting. The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. Tickets cost R220 for adults and R110 for all children under the age of 18.
Note…
Book in advance especially in high season and take warm windproof clothing with you. It can get choppy, so if you get seasick, come prepared with sea legs!
Contact
Tel +27 21 413 4220/1 (Nelson Mandela Gateway)
Tel +27 21 409 5169 (Robben Island)
Advance Bookings
Tel +27 21 413 4233 / 37
Email: rimbookings@robben-island.org.za
The ticket sales office is located at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Special Tours
(For example special subsidized educational school tours)
Tel +27 21 411 1037
Email: specialtours@robben-island.org.za
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