Castle of Good Hope
STEEPED IN HISTORY
Castle of Good Hope |
       
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The original entrance to the Castle, the
‘Waterpoort’ was located in the wall between Buuren and Catzenellenbogen
Bastions. But from the outset, the sea level at high or spring tides made access
to the Castle impossible. Today this is the entrance to the Military Museum. The Castle Military Museum depicts Cape Military History and has one of the most impressive sword collections in the country. Visit the Curio Shop which offers curios unique to the Castle of Good Hope.
The original balcony was built in 1695, then
rebuilt in its present form by the VOC between 1786 and 1790. The bas-relief on
the pediment was created by the German sculptor, Anton Anreith. From this balcony proclamations and announcements
were made to the soldiers, slaves and civilians at the Cape. All judicial
sentences were read here, and official visitors welcomed to the Castle. This balcony leads to the famous William Fehr Collection of historical paintings and period furniture, which have a special relevance to the Cape. Website: www.iziko.org.za Since the early days the blacksmith was synonymous with the Castle of Good Hope. See a replica of a real Forge as it operated during the 17th and 18th century. |
