- The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town –The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town is the oldest building in South Africa - the Dutch started building it in the mid 1600's.
When I first arrived in Cape Town back in 1980's they were just finishing renovations to it and now (so I am told!) it is the best-preserved Dutch East India Company fort in the world! The Castle of Good Hope is chock-full of interesting old stuff! I'd recommend a visit there to anyone. There are highlights like the Ceremony of the Keys at 10 a.m. each day (they make an almighty bang using a tiny toy cannon - the kids love it!) and the possibility of a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
The castle is divided into two courtyards. The main courtyard has a large open lawn and was used as a ceremonial parade ground in days of yore. These days it makes a great spot to lie around and watch the modern comings and goings! Guided tours set off from here, the first one starting at 11 a.m. daily. The focal point of the main courtyard is the Katbalkon. It's a kind of podium leading into the Governor's Residence part of the castle and they used to make announcements and things from here.
These days the Governor has made way for some fine exhibits of period furnishings (including chamber pots!) and beautiful oil paintings. Quite famous in its own way is the Lady Anne Barnard room. It has a massive table seating one hundred guests! And yes, we have counted the places :-). That's not all there is in the first courtyard at the Castle of Good Hope, but I'll leave the Cape Military Museum and a few other things for you to discover on your own!
The second courtyard contains fewer interesting interior displays, but more nooks and crannies to explore! First of all there's the dungeon entrance over there in the left hand corner...
(we don't go in - too scared!)
Then there's the entrance to the bakery and stores courtyard, where Het Bakhuys and the Dolphin Pool hold court... The dolphin looks a little odd, but maybe they looked different way back then?
Onwards and upwards -- via the Captain's courtyard to the ramparts for a stroll in the sun and a look at the view.
This fascinating Nama hut in which the children sit absolutely entranced... Flimsy and basic as it looks, the hut is in fact naturally climate-controlled! When the weather is wet, the straw of the mats swells and keeps out the rain while keeping in the heat. In between showers the straw dries out and the air flows through. Neat, isn’t it?
Now we're heading back into the main courtyard. It's time for you to explore of your own now – off you go and investigate the Cape Military Museum... Oh, you want some refreshments, do you? That’s also possible – head across to De Gouverneur’s coffee shop ;-) See you!
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