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South Africa

Castle of Good Hope

Discover
Places to see

Castles

South Africa

Castle of Good Hope

Highlight • Castle

Castle of Good Hope

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    Location: South Africa

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    1. View of Camps Bay – View of Cape Town loop from Cape Town Station

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    2. V&A Waterfront Clock Tower – V&A Waterfront Swing Bridge loop from Esplanade

    20.6km

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    4.6

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    3. View of Camps Bay – View of Lion's Head loop from Cape Town Station

    18.8km

    05:51

    650m

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    Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Hard

    Tips

    January 15, 2019

    The castle was built as Casteel de Goede Hoop from 1666-79 and is today the oldest surviving European building in South Africa. The pentagonal building was built of stone and the zeitgeist, according to European models.

    Translated by Google •

      November 17, 2025

      The oldest European building in Africa is the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. Shortly after his arrival in 1652, Jan van Riebeeck had a small fort built on this site. The clay and wood structure didn't last long and was replaced in 1664 by the pentagonal castle that you can still visit today. In its 350-year history, the fort has never been stormed.

      Military Museum
      The country's first governors resided here. This imposing five-pointed fort was built between 1666 and 1679 and replaced Jan van Riebeeck's residence. Today, it serves as the Western Cape Army Headquarters and houses the Castle Military Museum. The museum displays a collection of weapons, uniforms, and other military artifacts from the Dutch and British periods.

      Source: zuid-afrika.nl/zuid-afrika/reisgids/west-kaap/kaapstad/castle-of-good-hope

      Translated by Google •

        March 17, 2025

        - Built: Between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
        - Purpose: Served as a military fortress and administrative center of the Cape Colony.
        - Architecture: Pentagonal floor plan with bastions.
        - Oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa.
        - Built by a total of 60,000 slaves, mostly from Asia, Madagascar, and Mozambique.
        - They feared that taking the slaves from South Africa would lead to uprisings.
        - Local slaves had local allies and could quickly escape and attack.

        Use:
        - Formerly: Protection from attacks, storage of supplies, and a prison.
        - Today: Museum and cultural center with military history exhibitions.

        Special Features:
        - Bell tower with South Africa's oldest bell (cast in 1697).
        - Ceremonies such as the daily handover of the keys and cannon firings.
        - Tourist Significance: One of Cape Town's most visited historical attractions.
        - Symbolism: connecting the colonial past with modern reappraisal

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 10 m

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          Wednesday 26 November

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          Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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          Location: South Africa

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