Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town

The Castle of Good Hope is South Africa's oldest remaining building in use today. This old fort was designed according to the old defense system of The Netherlands.

The Castle was built in a pentagonal shape with the five points of the star forming the bastions. The stone walls between the bastions are 150 meters long and 12 meters high.

Fortunately its strength was never tested, so the structure is still very original.

The bastions were named after the titles of the Prince of Orange, who was the ruler at the time.
The five bastions are:

• Katzenellenbogen
• Nassau
• Oranje
• Leerdam
• Buren

In 1936 the building was declared a national monument and today houses the famous William Fehr Collection of historical paintings and period furniture.

Castle of Good Hope page.

William Fehr Collection © Iziko Museums (Photo Carina Beyer)

William Fehr Collection © Iziko Museums (Photo Carina Beyer)

Cape Town in 1863 by Aernout Smit - William Fehr Collection © Iziko Museums

Fired Exhibition © Iziko Museums (Photo Carina Beyer)

The Military Museum depicts the military history of the Cape and has one of the most important sword collections in the country.

Sections of the moat and Het Bakhuys (an early 18th century bakery) have also been reconstructed during the restorations.

Kat Balcony © Iziko Museums (Photo Carina Beyer)

Useful Information:

Top Tip 1

• The best time to visit is in the morning when a ceremonial changing of guard takes place at 10:00 and again at 12:00.
  

Top Tip 2

• Let the children experience the total darkness in the dungeons.

Website:

www.castleofgoodhope.co.za

Telephone:

021 787 1260

Times:

09:00 to 16:00 daily
Closed Christmas day (25 December) and New Year's day (1 January)

Street Address:

C/O Darling and Buitenkant Streets

Guided tours:

• Guides provide free guided tours at 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
• Self guided tours are available by means of a map in 7 different languages.

View more Cape Town Culture sites
Cape Town Culture
The Bo Kaap | Castle of Good Hope | The Company Garden | District Six Museum
Koopmans de West House | Maritime Centre | South African Museum | Nobel Square
The Noon Gun | Rhodes Memorial | Robben Island | SA Jewish Museum
Cape Town Statues | Stellenbosch Village Museum | St Georges Cathedral

Return to Homepage

 Hotel Accommodation Deals: Check Availability

Leave a comment?