Castle Of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa, built between 1666 – 1679, close to the site of Van Riebeeck’s original fort. Although called a castle, the building is actually a fort built in the shape of a five-pointed star. The castle was built by Commander Zacharias Wagenaar on the same design principles utilized by Vauban, the well-known French military engineer. The stone for the walls was quarried on Robben Island.

The bastions at each corner are named after the titles of the Prince of Orange, the Dutch ruler at the time of the settlement, namely:

Buren, Nassau, Katsenellenbogen, Oranje, Leerdam

The Castle served as residence to the Cape governors, military headquarters, prison and hospital. Each bastion contained living quarters, workshops and storerooms. Interestingly enough, no attack has ever been launched against the Castle and as far as is known no shot has ever been fired against an enemy from it’s walls. The Kat was added in 1691 by Simon van der Stel and served as the official governor’s residence during the VOC rule. During the British rule the Castle served as government headquarters. Today the Castle is headquarters to the Western Province Army Command. It is also home to a military museum and other historical collections, including the William Fehr Collection of paintings, porcelain, carpets and furniture. Displays in the Secunde’s House portray the living conditions of a VOC official during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Open:

Changing of the guard: Monday to Friday 12:00.

Guided Tours: Monday to Sunday Every hour from 10:00 to 15:00; December and January every ½ hour from 09:00 to 15:00; Closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.