The Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. It was built by the Dutch East India Company. Building began in 1666. When the settlers first arrived in 1652 Jan Van Riebeek built a fort using clay and timber. The more robust stone building. It followed a standard plan common in Europe at that time, and was pentagonal with a bastion at each corner. The building of the Fort was entrusted to engineer Pieter Dombaer, assisted by carpenter Adriaan van Braeckel, and master masonDouwe Steyn. Four cornerstones were laid on 2 January 1666, and it was completed on 26 April 1679

Materials were sourced locally and included granite from nearby Signal Hill and slate and shells from Robben Island. The workforce consisted of sailors, soldiers, Khoi prisoners, and slaves.

The fortress housed a church, bakery, various workshops, living quarters, shops, and cells. To protect the residents, a wall was built that divided the inner courtyard. This is where The De Kat balcony is. It was designed by Louis Michel Thibault and is decorated with reliefs and sculptures by Anton Anreith. The original was built in 1695 but rebuilt in its current form between 1786 and 1790. The castle was the seat of government and military operations for two centuries. A visit to the castle offers insight into Cape Town’s military and cultural past which includes its use as a prison during the Second Boer War (1899–1902), The cells can still be seen at the castle today.

• The Military Museum and The William Fehr Collection can be seen at the castle and there is also a ceramic exhibition housed in the old granary.
• Please note the  Key Ceremony runs Monday to Friday. This replicates the ceremonial unlocking of the Van der Stel entrance by the fort’s uniformed guards.
• The Cannon Association of South Africa fires the signal cannon three times a day (at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and midday, every day except Sunday). This cannon was once used to warn the castle’s inhabitants of a ship sighted out at sea. However, it does not happen on Sundays. These ceremonies are weather-dependent.
• Guided tours are offered five times a day (at 11 a.m., midday, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.)
• Open 363 days in a year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• The castle was declared a historical monument in 1936 and as a national monument in 1969.
• There’s a gift shop on-site, and the small restaurant serves light meals inspired by  African, Dutch, English and Cape Malay cuisine.
• Read about the ghosts at the castle
• There is a nominal entrance fee. Pensioners pay a discounted rate

  Guided tours are offered five times a day (at 11 a.m., midday, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.). There’s a gift shop on-site, while Re5 Restaurant serves light bites inspired by the region’s African, Dutch, English and Cape Malay culinary cultures.

  Darling St & Buitenkant  street    info@castleofgoodhope.co.za