Museums and Historical Places in Cape Town
South African Museum
The South African Museum is the oldest museum in sub-Saharan Africa. Exhibitions include mammal-like reptiles of the Karoo and some of the finest examples of rock art in the world, including the Linton painting.
This is the only museum in South Africa with an adjoining planetarium, with regularly changing daily shows, and an experience not to be missed.
Address:
25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens
Tel: 021 424 3330
Fax: 021 424 6716
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679, this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built by Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 upon establishing a maritime replenishment station art the Cape of Good Hope for the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Verenigde Oos-Indische Compagnie).
Bertram House
A Patrician red-brick Georgian Townhouse, with a rich collection showing the English way of life in the mid-19th century Cape Town. (Government Ave, Gardens.)
Bo-Kaap Museum
One of the oldest houses in a vibrant "Malay Quarter", exhibiting the style of life of a Cape Muslim family of the late 19th century. (71 Whale St, Cape Town.)
District 6 Museum
Celebration of the vibrant way of life of a community removed in the infamous incident of Group Areas Act during South Africa's apartheid era. (25A Buitenkant St, Cape Town.)
Jewish Museum
Cape Town's first synagogue in Byzantine-revival style tells of the original Jewish community. (Government Ave, Gardens.)
Josephine Mill
A1840 fully operational mill with a massive waterwheel, an important exhibit of the industrial past; also Treshers Restaurant. (Boundary Rd, Newlands)
Koopmans De Wet House
A superb collection contained in an eloquently patrician Cape Dutch Townhouse. (35 Strand St, Cape Town.)
Michaelis Collection
Cape Town's first City Hall, a superb baroque building with a outstanding collection of Dutch and Finnish old masters. (Old Town House, Greenmarket Square.)
SA Airforce Museum
A comprehensive collection of military and rescue aircraft and paraphernalia. (Air Force Base, Ysterplaat.)
SA Cultural History Museum
A former slave lodge of the Dutch East India Company, now holding collections from other civilisations and superb exhibitions of diverse peoples making up the Cape foundation. (49 Adderley St, Cape Town.)
SA Fisheries Museum
The South African commercial fishing industry explained in detail. (West Quay Rd, V&A Waterfront.)
SA Maritime Museum
T he exploration of maritime archeology, shipping, harbours and the romantic days of sail and mail ships. (Dock Rd, V&A.)
SA National Gallery
The country's premier art museum has a constantly engaging exhibition of South African and international art. (Government Ave, Gardens.)
SA Sendingstigting Museum
An immaculately restored building, housing the story of missions and missionary work in the Cape. (40 Long St, Cape Town.)
William Fehr Collection
Cape Town, well illustrated through this superb collection of furniture, ceramics, silver and artworks, as well as early pictorial records. (at the Castle and Rust-en-Vreugd, Cape Town.)
