A CASTLE OF INCLUSIVITY, HEALING, LEARNING, MEMORALISATION AND SO MUCH MORE…

Welcome,

Visitors often ask us whether the Castle is a "museum". Technically, they are correct, with only one modification: Museum (s) in the plural! Yes, the 358-year-old Castle of Good Hope, a National Heritage site, a critical infrastructure, a former Army base, a former seat of government, a slave port, and many more, is a collection of nine ‘permanent’ boutique museums (and counting) each contributing to a narrative that is unapologetically decolonial, inclusive, brave, challenging, and educational. In no order, here we go.

Read More

CAPE TOWN’S NEW MARKET KUIER@THECASTLE A BIG SUCCESS IN CBD

Following the resounding success of the first market in February, Cape Town‘s CBD will be buzzing with creativity again on 30 March with the next instalment of Kuier@TheCastle. Hosted by the Craft + Design Institute (CDI) in collaboration with the Castle of Good Hope, this monthly market has already made a significant impact, featuring over 70 local creatives, drawing 1300 visitors to the market, and generating over R200 000 in income for the vendors at the inaugural event.

Read More

Salaam Mnandi Yoga Saturdays Brekkie Banner 1500 x 500 px 1

** IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE **

16th September 2024

Kindly be informed that the Castle Of Good Hope will be closed today for an event.

* IMPORTANT NOTICE *

Change in opening times

 Please also take note of the change in Opening Times, which are now 09:00 to 16:00.

We apologise for any inconvenience.


Maphatsoe Outlines Plans To Attract More Visitors

8th December 2018.

 

Cape Town – Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Kebby Maphatsoe says he would like to see the Castle of Good Hope become a place of pilgramage for citizens from all political persuasions and from all parts of the country.

“We want people to say: ‘Let’s go to Cape Town not only for the beaches, but also for the Castle, so that we can see and learn about where our king or chief was jailed.”

Maphatsoe has been in the defence and military veterans portfolio since May 26, 2014. When discussing Cape Town’s most enduring landmark, he sounds like a new broom.

Central to the commemoration of the Castle’s 350th anniversary will be the unveiling, by President Jacob Zuma tomorrow, of statues of four indigenous fighters against Dutch and British colonialism: a Goringhaiqua chief named Doman, the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, the Pedi king Sekhukhune, and Langalibalele, the king of the amaHlubi people.

“We decided on honouring these four great South African leaders because we believe that not enough effort had been made to tell about how they struggled against great odds to protect the independence of their people,” Maphatsoe said.

Each of the leaders who are being commemorated demonstrated incredibly innovative leadership in their struggles against Dutch, Boer and British colonists.

Doman launched his war against the Dutch in rainy weather, having worked out that the matchlock guns of the enemy would not fire in wet weather.

Cetshwayo’s Zulu army, armed mainly with stabbing spears, shocked imperial Britain, by inflicting a stunning defeat over its Redcoats at Isandlwana.

Sekhukhune defeated the Boers and the British in a succession of battles, while Langalibalele also repulsed attacks by colonial forces in the then Natal.

“We want the history of these leaders to be told,” says Maphatsoe.

“We know that the Castle was used as a fort, as a prison for indigenous leaders, and as a place where black people were tortured and killed – from the time of the early colonists, right up to the brutal era of the apartheid regime,” he says.

“It is important for people to know what happened between its walls. We want it to become a centre of learning, healing and memory,” Maphatsoe says.

“I would like to see communities which have always seen it as a place from where their subjugation was plotted and implemented to come to it to seek healing and closure, if that is what they want. At present, only the Khoikhoi have taken up this invitation.”

Maphatsoe understands that the process he wants to champion may take time. But there have been hopeful signs, he says.

“Groups from the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga have visited.

“Moreover, when the king of the Venda people learnt that we were going to honour the kings of the past, he contacted us to say he wanted to become involved so that he could pay his respects to the Pedi king, Sekhukhune.

“These were eye-openers for the new groups of visitors to the Castle. There is so much of South African history that they did not know. The 350th anniversary commemoration of the Castle will widen their knowledge even further,” he said.

“What they are beginning to realise is that the Castle is the genesis of our freedom. It takes us on a long journey – from oppression to freedom.”

Cape Argus

SA Tourism Services Association
Frequently Asked Questions For Tourists Travelling To SA [PDF 2MB]
call to action buttons

Tourism Industry Standard Protocols
For COVID-19 Operations

DOWNLOAD the document here.

ccb traveltips 02

The high season is in full swing and that means that visitors from all over will be in Cape Town for a much-needed holiday break. Each visitor must have the best possible experience – particularly with regards to safety.

Please be alert and aware of the following:

  • Only use secured ATMs, such as those in shopping centres or at the CTICC complex.
  • Do not allow anyone to take you to an ATM – fraudsters may attempt to take you to an ATM – say "no" when asked.
  • Do not accept help from anyone at an ATM. This includes uniformed personnel as Fraudsters may dress in uniform and approach you.
  • You do not need a COVID-19 permit or a permit to walk the streets of Cape Town.
  • Crime hotspot areas that should be avoided or proceeded with caution.

Very Important

Please download the Namola Safety App for free on your smartphones. The app can pinpoint their location with GPS and allows you to contact emergency services with a simple touch of a button. Get the app HERE.

Cape Town Cares

Should you be the unfortunate victim of crime in our city, please contact our Cape Town Cares team at: 021 487 6552. They will be able to assist visitors with replacement of lost documents, support counselling, helping visitors lay a charge at SAPS, changing itineraries and more.

An infographic with tips and emergency contact numbers.

DOWNLOAD the infographic here.

ccb band aid logo24/7 Band-Aid
Contact Number:
021 487 6552

Four steps for visitor safety.

DOWNLOAD the infographic here.

ccb atm logoBe ATM-wise!

DOWNLOAD the infographic here.

 

ccb traveltips 01

 


 

ccb SATSA FAQs

Answering your questions on filming procedures during COVID-19 lock down.

ccb ICMP button

 


 

Latest Events

To see the latest upcoming events at the Castle of Good Hope, click on a day or the month title to display the event(s).

December 2024
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

Key Ceremony

TIMES
10:00|12:00 

This showcases the unlocking of the Van der Stel entrance of the Castle of Good Hope by the ceremonial guards of the castle. It is a past practice that is still practised today.

Canon Firing

TIMES
10:00|11:00|12:00 

The firing of the signal cannon was used to indicate that a ship had been sighted at sea and to relay the message to people inside the fort. You can view the firing of an old cannon, performed by the Cannon Association of South Africa.

Guided Tours

TIMES
11:00|12:00|14:00|15:00|16:00 

Unearth the hidden history of the Castle with a guided tour led by an experienced guide. Tours operate seven days a week.

 

Go to top