Ghosts of the Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope was built in the 1600s as a fortification protecting the new settlement in the colony. It has a colourful history with stories ranging from torturous violence to outrageous parties.
Many tortured souls have shown themselves to visitors at the castle. One of these is the ghost of, Governor Pieter Gysbert van Noodt who was a tyrannical man. He once ordered the execution of several soldiers by hanging. A short while later he was found dead, having had a heart attack after one of the condemned soldiers cursed him before he hung. It is said his ill-fated bitter soul wanders around the castle.
There are stories of an angry black dog that annoys guests and then mysteriously vanishes.
Voices and shuffling noises can be heard from the dark hole which is the dungeon where prisoners were tortured. In addition, the bell in the Bell Tower which was walled up centuries ago after a soldier hung himself with the bell rope, is said to frequently ring on its own accord.
Lady Anne Barnard is also said to still be a resident at the castle. In the late 18th century she was the colony’s “first lady” She entertained dignitaries at the castle, To this day she has not neglected her duties and makes an appearance, often when important dignitaries visit. She wrote many letters and diaries about her time at the castle. Even after working in the building for a long time, soldiers are still scared of the ghosts wandering in the area so they prefer to walk the outside boundary of the building to guard the place.
Address: Darling St & Buitenkant St, Cape Town
There is a nominal entrance fee. Pensioners pay a discounted rate
