The Castle of Good Hope is the first colonial structure in South Africa, situated in the heart of Cape Town next to the Grand Parade. The Castle of Good Hoop was erected by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie).

It is a pentagonal fort with bastions at each corner, each named after the titles of the Prince of Orange; Leerdam, Oranje, Nassau, Buren and Catzenellenbogen.

The castle one can explore today is actually the second fort, of which the contruction started in 1666. The original construction was largely made from wood and sods and was situated on the Grand Parade across from City Hall.

As the fort became vulnerable, with the constant threat of war between Holland and Britain, plans were made for the construction of a permanent castle. For effective defence purposes a pentagonal, bastioned structure was chosen.

The castle was completed in 1679. Years later, because of constant flooding and the fear that the sea entrance might present danger in the event of a naval attack, the gates were moved by Simon van der Stel in 1682 to their present position.

The Castle harbors many historical treasures, for instance a military museum revolving around the military history of the Cape, the military history of the Castle and the history of the Cape Regiments past and present.

The Castle also houses the Iziko William Fehr Collection. It is a very fine collection of historical paintings, furniture, ceramics and other artefacts dating to the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Collection was assembled from the late 1920s onwards by William Fehr, a businessman and private collector who believed that the history of South Africa was reflected in pictorial art.

Since 1952 the Collection has been on display in one of the most historically significant parts of the Castle, dating to the period of the Dutch East India Company.

If possible, go to the Castle of Good Hope just before the 12 o'clock. A small canon will be fired and you will be the changing of the guards in African Style.

If you've got kids this is one of the things they will enjoy in Cape Town. Imagine paying in a Castle and seeing a canon being fired.

The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town
Buitenkant Street (opposite the Grand Parade )
Cape Town

Open: Mon - Sat 09h30 - 16h00 & Sun (during mid-year and end-of-year-school holidays)
Closed: Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

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The culture & heritage section in things to do Cape Town section offers a great overview of museums in Cape Town.