- Address: Castle Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa;
- Phone: +27 21 787 1260;
- Opening hours: 09.30-17.00
On the shore of the ocean in the distant 1666 in Cape Town, the colonizers from the Netherlands erected a small fort, whose purpose was to protect the merchant ships carrying spices, and 13 years later the fort was rebuilt into a full-fledged fortification, called the Castle of Good Hope.
Food station and security fort
Initially, the fort was not only a hiding place for merchants, but it was also a full center of the cape where seafarers would gather. Especially it was appreciated by sailors, who had to spend several months in the sea.
Also there was a kind of transfer station, which simplified the delivery and loading of spices.
However, he was repeatedly threatened with demolition and destruction. Despite all the difficulties, dangers and troubles, the castle has stood and is now officially the oldest building in the Republic of South Africa .
Architectural features
The castle is built in a unique Dutch style. For its erection, an unusual but beautiful gray-blue stone was used, and for decoration of the walls an original brick of light yellow color was used.
Despite many restorations, the coat of arms of the Netherlands, depicting the Lion in the crown, is preserved on the wall, between which the arrows are clamped - this lion was symbolized by the United Netherlands.
To ensure effective defense around the castle, a large ditch was dug, but it was slightly modified during the restoration work in 1992.
Center of Military Forces
The military past was reflected in the present castle. So, here for a long time was the headquarters of the army of South Africa . Silhouette of the fort even present on the flag of the army. In addition, the silhouette of the castle is also used for the insignia of officers.
Given the originality of the building, its long history, in 1936 the castle was added to the list of monuments of the country.
Today, there is also a military museum, the exposition of which will tell not only about military history - in the halls one can see:
- original furniture;
- porcelain;
- paintings and other art works.
Attention and dungeons are also attracted - they were held captive for a long time, and those ones exhausted the messages and drawings of the walls of their cells.
Ghosts in the castle
Around the Castle of Good Hope there are many legends and they are connected with ghosts. Of course, not the least role in this played dungeons, where prisoners were languishing, but still many are inclined to the fact that the reason for all the peculiarity of the place on which the building is erected.
After all, the first unusual, unexplained phenomena in this part were recorded as early as 1653 - there are records confirming the inexplicable movement of the book of the Bible.
Two hundred years later, a mysterious female silhouette was seen in the rooms of the castle. According to eyewitnesses, it was a lady in a raincoat, which strangely appeared and dissolved in the air. It was first noticed in 1860. Also, mention of the lady also applies to the year 1880.
Researchers and historians have suggested that a ghost can appear from a dungeon linking the castle itself and the Governor's house nearby - the passage was walled in many years ago and there is an opinion that it was there that the woman was left, whose ghost is now roaming the fort.
Another ghost, appearing in the castle, is an image of the governor of the baths Nordt - he was "famous" for his cruelty. The last mention of the apparition of the governor's ghost dates back to 1947.
How to get there?
For visits, the castle is open from 9:00 to 16:00, guided tours are held from Monday to Saturday. The easiest way to get to the Castle of Good Hope is by metro, after reaching the station of the same name.
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