No visit to Cape Town is complete without a tour of the impressive Castle of Good Hope, which is located on Darling Street. Completed by the Dutch in 1679, the fortification was eventually taken over by the British. Though it never saw any military action, for 150 years it was the symbol of colonial power in the Cape region, and was an administrative centre and the heart of social and economic life in Cape Town. The castle has recently undergone extensive renovations to return the decor to the splendour of the British Regency period.

From Battlements to Dungeons

History lovers visiting Cape Town will find that the Castle of Good Hope is everything one expects a castle to be, from its looming battlements down to the forbidding dungeons and torture chamber. In the cells you can still see the graffiti carved in the walls centuries ago by the unfortunate men imprisoned there. The castle even has a moat, which has been fully restored.

Oldest Building in Town

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in Cape Town. Constructed in a pentagonal style, with five strong bastions, its thick stone walls were made to withstand enemy armies, as well as the ravages of time. The bastions are called Leerdam, Oranje, Nassau, Catzenellenbogen, and Buuren; all of which were titles held by Prince William of Orange, who became King William III of Great Britain. The entrance gate still displays the coat of arms of the United Netherlands. It also shows the emblem of the VOC – the Dutch East India Company, which was one of the greatest trading companies in the world. In the belfry above the gate is the original bell, cast in Amsterdam in 1697. Within the walls, the courtyard is divided in two by a twelve-metre high defensive structure called the kat, on which artillery could be mounted. The kat balcony is an exquisite ceremonial structure from which official announcements were made. It is flanked by two curving staircases, and has a portico supported by six Ionic columns carved out of solid teak. Among the principal features to be seen in the castle are the Archway, paved with slate from Robben Island; the decorative Dolphin Pool; and the Castle Military Museum, which has an impressive collection of weapons and uniforms.

The William Fehr Collection

Housed in four rooms behind elaborately carved double doors to the rear of the kat balcony is the William Fehr Collection, one of the most important exhibits of decorative arts not only in Cape Town, but also South Africa. This priceless array of paintings, ceramics, and furnishings is the legacy of business tycoon William Fehr. It includes works by old masters such as Thomas Blaines. You can take a break from your tour of the castle in a very pleasant tea shop in the courtyard. The castle is the home of the South African Defence Force’s Western Province Command, so don’t be surprised if you see a few soldiers march by.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made
Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town