Heritage in and near Cape Town

Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, this pentagonal fortification replaced a smaller fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck ... more

On 3 February, 1488 a Portuguese seafarer named Bartolomeu Dias landed on the shoreline of what is now Mossel Bay after becoming the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope. So began the rapid colonization of a land that had belonged to South Africa's indigenous peoples. The history of South Africa is turbulent, yet fascinating.

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa. The oldest building in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope, erected between 1666 and 1679 is a major landmark in the city's centre and worthy of a look. Downtown Cape Town is full of beautiful old buildings, landmarks and monuments and guided walking tours are available through the city's historic streets.

More recently, Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town was the prison where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were sent during the apartheid era. It has been turned into a museum, and ferries depart several times daily. Tours are guided by former political prisoners, and this is a must-see for anyone interested in South Africa's history.

Wine has been produced in the Western Cape since the early 1700s. French Huguenot immigrants landed in the Cape and discovered that the region was prime grape-growing territory. The historic towns of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl were established, and they are the best places to see the famous Cape Dutch architectural style popular with these farmers in the late 18th century.

For those who enjoy military history, head to the battlefield regions of KwaZulu Natal where guided tours of battle sites, museums and monuments will teach you about some of the bloodier parts of history during the Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu wars. Tours are run out of Bergville, Dundee and Newcastle.

When gold was found under what is now the soil of Johannesburg, it began a frenzy only rivalled by the gold rushes of North America. Tours of abandoned gold mines are available. Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, was struck with diamond fever and there are several tributes in the city to the glory days of yesteryear. Kimberley had South Africa's first stock exchange and was the head office of the De Beers diamond giants.