History of Devils Peak Estate

Devil’s Peak Estate is a suburb in Cape Town’s City Bowl. The name “Devil’s Peak” originates from a local legend about Jan Van Hunks, a Dutch pirate who retired to Table Mountain. According to the story, Van Hunks encountered a mysterious man dressed in black while enjoying his pipe. The stranger challenged Van Hunks to a smoking contest, which Van Hunks accepted. The two created huge clouds of smoke over Table Mountain until the stranger revealed himself as the Devil. Locals say that when clouds cover the mountain, Van Hunks and the Devil are battling once again.
Following the first British occupation of the Cape in 1795, defence blockhouses were built on Devil’s Peak. While three of these structures have fallen into disrepair, King’s Blockhouse, a large stone building measuring 7 meters square, remains. This blockhouse served as a signal station for communication between False Bay and Table Bay and was declared a National Monument in 1938.

Today, Devil’s Peak Estate is a quiet neighbourhood but is known for its strong winds. It is also home to a sacred site named after the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, which records the longest and shortest days of the year.

Postcodes for Devil’s Peak Estate 8001

Pypies Square Park on Lower Pypies Square has fabulous views of Table Mountain and a great children’s play park

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