History and sights
District Six Foundation was founded in 1989 and the museum in 1994, as a memorial to the forced movement of 60,000 inhabitants of various races in District Six during Apartheid in South Africa in 1970s.
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Iziko leMuziyam yaseSix
25A Buitenkant StDistrict Six Foundation was founded in 1989 and the museum in 1994, as a memorial to the forced movement of 60,000 inhabitants of various races in District Six during Apartheid in South Africa in 1970s.
Museum was founded in 1825 and situated in the historic Company's Gardens has seen millions of visitors all attracted by vast historical collection the museum has to offer, which ranges from fossils to ancient insects and historical tools. A visit to this museum is not only culturally enriching but the impressive natural collection will also ignite a spark of interest in learning more about the creatures with which we share our planet with.
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Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium
25 Queen Victoria StMuseum was founded in 1825 and situated in the historic Company's Gardens has seen millions of visitors all attracted by vast historical collection the museum has to offer, which ranges from fossils to ancient insects and historical tools. A visit to this museum is not only culturally enriching but the impressive natural collection will also ignite a spark of interest in learning more about the creatures with which we share our planet with.
The Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town. The building has answered to many names in the last three centuries, namely Slave Lodge, Government Offices Building, Old Supreme Court, and SA History Museum. All these names reflect the long and rich history of the building.
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Iziko Slave Lodge
Wale StreetThe Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town. The building has answered to many names in the last three centuries, namely Slave Lodge, Government Offices Building, Old Supreme Court, and SA History Museum. All these names reflect the long and rich history of the building.
The South African Jewish Museum stands on what is considered Cape Town's museum mile in the centre of town - neighbor to the Old Synagogue, the first to be built in South African soil - the Great Synagogue, and the Albow Centre where the Cape Town Holocaust Centre is housed.
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South African Jewish Museum
88 Hatfield StThe South African Jewish Museum stands on what is considered Cape Town's museum mile in the centre of town - neighbor to the Old Synagogue, the first to be built in South African soil - the Great Synagogue, and the Albow Centre where the Cape Town Holocaust Centre is housed.
This house museum is furnished as a home for a well-to-do Cape family during the late 18th Century. It houses some of the best pieces of Cape furniture and silver in the country, in addition to a priceless collection of ceramics. A household such as this would only have been able to function with its share of servants and slaves, and recent research has brought to light the names and professions of some of the kinds of activities they would have pursued.
The house opened its doors as a museum in 1914, after the death of its last private owner, Marie Koopman-De Wet and her sister Margareta. It is the oldest museum in the country. Marie Koopman-De Wet, after whom the museum is named, was well known during the South African War for her help to the orphans and widows of the Boer republics.
Koopmans-De Wet House
35 Strand StThis house museum is furnished as a home for a well-to-do Cape family during the late 18th Century. It houses some of the best pieces of Cape furniture and silver in the country, in addition to a priceless collection of ceramics. A household such as this would only have been able to function with its share of servants and slaves, and recent research has brought to light the names and professions of some of the kinds of activities they would have pursued.
The house opened its doors as a museum in 1914, after the death of its last private owner, Marie Koopman-De Wet and her sister Margareta. It is the oldest museum in the country. Marie Koopman-De Wet, after whom the museum is named, was well known during the South African War for her help to the orphans and widows of the Boer republics.
The battery was one of the coastal fortifications of the Cape Peninsula linked to the Castle of Good Hope. It was built in 1714–1725 by the Dutch East India Company, and named after its originator, Maurits Pasques de Chavonnes, who was the governor of the Cape Colony.
The battery was built in a “U” shape with a stone wall built on a rocky outcrop on the Western flank at the waters edge. It had 16 mounted guns with an arc of fire of nearly 180 degrees. The battery also served as a prison and a quarantine and convalescent wing of the old Somerset Hospital.
It was used to protect the bay and town until 1861 when construction work started on the Alfred basin and some of the stone and rubble from the site was used to create a breakwater. Further damage occurred when coal bunkers and later a fish factory were built over the site.
The museum includes the excavated walls, well and other components of part of the battery, with displays on cannons and the equipment needed to maintain and fire them and information boards related to the history of Cape Town.
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Chavonnes Battery Museum
The battery was one of the coastal fortifications of the Cape Peninsula linked to the Castle of Good Hope. It was built in 1714–1725 by the Dutch East India Company, and named after its originator, Maurits Pasques de Chavonnes, who was the governor of the Cape Colony.
The battery was built in a “U” shape with a stone wall built on a rocky outcrop on the Western flank at the waters edge. It had 16 mounted guns with an arc of fire of nearly 180 degrees. The battery also served as a prison and a quarantine and convalescent wing of the old Somerset Hospital.
It was used to protect the bay and town until 1861 when construction work started on the Alfred basin and some of the stone and rubble from the site was used to create a breakwater. Further damage occurred when coal bunkers and later a fish factory were built over the site.
The museum includes the excavated walls, well and other components of part of the battery, with displays on cannons and the equipment needed to maintain and fire them and information boards related to the history of Cape Town.
It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 15 December 1978. Newlands in Cape Town is home to the Josephine Mill which was built in 1940. Its machinery ceased operation in 1963 and it was decided to renovate and reconstruct the mill to get it operating again, which was achieved by 1988. Josephine Mill's is a little slice of history in the heart of the green, leafy suburb of Newlands. It is situated on the banks of the Liesbeek River, and is both a museum and the only remaining water mill that can be found in the Mother City of Cape Town. The Josephine Mill is just one of these; one that adds to the variety, heritage and charm of a world-class destination. It was left to the Cape Town Historical Society by its heir in 1975.
Built soon after 1819, the iron wheel continues to create stone-ground flours, which are baked on site or sold to the public. Fresh breads are available from the shop, making for delicious snacks and gifts for those who appreciate a top-class homemade loaf. Natural, organic ingredients mean that nutrients are preserved and flavours enhanced. The shop also stocks homemade preserves, as well as baking utensils.
Josephine Mill Museum
Boundary RoadIt was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 15 December 1978. Newlands in Cape Town is home to the Josephine Mill which was built in 1940. Its machinery ceased operation in 1963 and it was decided to renovate and reconstruct the mill to get it operating again, which was achieved by 1988. Josephine Mill's is a little slice of history in the heart of the green, leafy suburb of Newlands. It is situated on the banks of the Liesbeek River, and is both a museum and the only remaining water mill that can be found in the Mother City of Cape Town. The Josephine Mill is just one of these; one that adds to the variety, heritage and charm of a world-class destination. It was left to the Cape Town Historical Society by its heir in 1975.
Built soon after 1819, the iron wheel continues to create stone-ground flours, which are baked on site or sold to the public. Fresh breads are available from the shop, making for delicious snacks and gifts for those who appreciate a top-class homemade loaf. Natural, organic ingredients mean that nutrients are preserved and flavours enhanced. The shop also stocks homemade preserves, as well as baking utensils.
Rust en Vreugd was built as a home for Willem Cornelis Boers, a high-ranking official of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) known as a fiscal, around 1777–1778.
The house was built on Cape Town’s outer limits (hence the name of the street – Buitenkant or outer edge) in the transitional area between town and the larger market garden farms of the upper part of the city. After Boers, the property was passed on to several other private citizens.
In 1878, the house was bought by the Dutch Reformed Church and served as a teachers’ training college; the Cape Town High School occupied the property from 1925–1957; and in the early 1960s it was restored and converted into a gallery space.
A second restoration took place in 1993, and more recently, disabled access facilities were installed.
In 1965, William Fehr donated his private collection of works of art on paper (watercolours, prints and drawings) to the people of South Africa. This gift is housed at Rust en Vreugd. Due to the sensitive nature of artworks on paper, only a selection of works is on exhibition.
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Iziko Rust en Vreugd
78 Buitenkant StRust en Vreugd was built as a home for Willem Cornelis Boers, a high-ranking official of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) known as a fiscal, around 1777–1778.
The house was built on Cape Town’s outer limits (hence the name of the street – Buitenkant or outer edge) in the transitional area between town and the larger market garden farms of the upper part of the city. After Boers, the property was passed on to several other private citizens.
In 1878, the house was bought by the Dutch Reformed Church and served as a teachers’ training college; the Cape Town High School occupied the property from 1925–1957; and in the early 1960s it was restored and converted into a gallery space.
A second restoration took place in 1993, and more recently, disabled access facilities were installed.
In 1965, William Fehr donated his private collection of works of art on paper (watercolours, prints and drawings) to the people of South Africa. This gift is housed at Rust en Vreugd. Due to the sensitive nature of artworks on paper, only a selection of works is on exhibition.
The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum (IBKM) is one of the earliest homes built in the Bo-Kaap area, dating back to the mid-eighteenth century. The museum, situated in the historic area that became home to many Muslims and freed slaves after the abolition of slavery, showcases local Islamic culture and heritage. The house was declared a National Monument in 1965 and restored in the 1970s.
The Museum was established in 1978 as a satellite of the SA Cultural History Museum. It was furnished as a house that depicts the lifestyle of a nineteenth-century Muslim family.
The Museum is managed by Iziko Museums, an amalgamation of five national museums that includes the SA Cultural History Museum and its satellites. The museum is a social history museum that tells the story of the local community within a national socio-political and cultural context. Originally furnished as a house, it depicted, in a picturesque and stereotypical way, the lifestyle of a nineteenth-century Cape Muslim family.
The Bo-Kaap itself is well worth a visit. Colourful houses, steep cobbled streets, the muezzin’s calls to prayer, and children traditionally dressed for Madrassa, add to this unique Cape experience.
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Iziko Bo Kaap Museum
71 Wale StThe Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum (IBKM) is one of the earliest homes built in the Bo-Kaap area, dating back to the mid-eighteenth century. The museum, situated in the historic area that became home to many Muslims and freed slaves after the abolition of slavery, showcases local Islamic culture and heritage. The house was declared a National Monument in 1965 and restored in the 1970s.
The Museum was established in 1978 as a satellite of the SA Cultural History Museum. It was furnished as a house that depicts the lifestyle of a nineteenth-century Muslim family.
The Museum is managed by Iziko Museums, an amalgamation of five national museums that includes the SA Cultural History Museum and its satellites. The museum is a social history museum that tells the story of the local community within a national socio-political and cultural context. Originally furnished as a house, it depicted, in a picturesque and stereotypical way, the lifestyle of a nineteenth-century Cape Muslim family.
The Bo-Kaap itself is well worth a visit. Colourful houses, steep cobbled streets, the muezzin’s calls to prayer, and children traditionally dressed for Madrassa, add to this unique Cape experience.
South Africa's premier art museum houses outstanding collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. Selections from the Permanent Collection regularly change to enable the museum to have a full programme of temporary exhibitions of paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, beadwork, textiles and architecture.
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Iziko South African National Gallery
Government AvenueSouth Africa's premier art museum houses outstanding collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. Selections from the Permanent Collection regularly change to enable the museum to have a full programme of temporary exhibitions of paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, beadwork, textiles and architecture.
Now, Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and museum, offering daily tours. The tour begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront with a multimedia exhibition, museum shop and restaurant, after which, guests hop onto the ferry for a scenic trip to the island. Once on Robben Island itself, the tour is guided by a former political prisoner of the island, for unique and incomparable insights into the island’s history.
Parents who want their children to learn more about South Africa’s political history and gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of the past, will find this Robben Island experience one of the many ways to share South Africa’s history and ensure that our children appreciate our city’s heritage.
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Robben Island Museum
Now, Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and museum, offering daily tours. The tour begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront with a multimedia exhibition, museum shop and restaurant, after which, guests hop onto the ferry for a scenic trip to the island. Once on Robben Island itself, the tour is guided by a former political prisoner of the island, for unique and incomparable insights into the island’s history.
Parents who want their children to learn more about South Africa’s political history and gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of the past, will find this Robben Island experience one of the many ways to share South Africa’s history and ensure that our children appreciate our city’s heritage.