Castle of Good Hope — Attraction in Cape Town Ward 115

Castle of Good Hope: A Fading Relic, Not a Must-See My visit to the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town's "oldest building," left me profoundly underwhelmed and, quite frankly, a little disheartened.

What should be a proud historical landmark feels neglected, a shadow of its potential, and hardly worth the admission fee. Firstly, the entry cost feels steep for what you get. For a site of such historical significance, one would expect a pristine, engaging experience, but the reality falls far short.

The general upkeep of the grounds and some of the interior areas is visibly lacking, giving an overall impression of disinterest. The "museums" within the Castle are rather sparse and dated. While there are a few interesting artifacts, the exhibits feel static and fail to truly bring the rich, complex history of the Castle – and indeed, of South Africa – to life.

There's a palpable lack of modern interpretation or interactive elements that could make it compelling for contemporary visitors, especially younger generations.

Furthermore, recent reports and visible issues around the perimeter of the Castle, particularly concerning cleanliness and the presence of social challenges, unfortunately detract significantly from the experience.

While these are broader societal issues, their impact on a national heritage site is undeniable and leaves a negative impression on visitors. It's difficult to immerse yourself in history when the immediate surroundings are a stark reminder of neglect.

The "ceremonial rituals" and "Key Ceremony" are a nice touch, but they don't compensate for the overall lack of engagement. You walk through the vast courtyards and rooms, and it feels more like an empty shell than a vibrant historical hub.

Ultimately, the Castle of Good Hope feels like a missed opportunity. Its historical weight is immense, but the execution of presenting that history to the public is poor.

If you're looking for an insightful and well-maintained historical experience in Cape Town, you might be better off seeking alternatives. This "fort" needs significant investment and a renewed vision to become the truly world-class heritage site it should be...

Built by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679, the Castle is the oldest existing building in South Africa.[4] It replaced an older fort called the Fort de Goede Hoop which was constructed from clay and timber and built by Jan van Riebeeck upon his arrival at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652.[6] Two redoubts, Redoubt Kyckuit (Lookout) and Redoubt Duijnhoop (Duneheap) were built at the mouth of the Salt River in 1654.[7] The purpose of the Dutch settlement in the Cape was to act as a replenishment station for ships passing the treacherous coast around the Cape on long voyages between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).[7]

During 1664, tensions between Great Britain and the Netherlands rose amid rumours of war. That same year, Commander Zacharias Wagenaer, successor to Jan van Riebeeck, was instructed by Commissioner Isbrand Goske to build a pentagonal fortress out of stone. The first stone was laid on 2 January 1666.[7] Work was interrupted frequently because the Dutch East India Company was reluctant to spend money on the project. On 26 April 1679, the five bastions were named after the main titles of William III of Orange-Nassau: Leerdam to the west, with Buuren, Katzenellenbogen, Nassau, and Oranje clockwise from it.[6] The names of these bastions have been used as street names in suburbs, primarily of Cape Town, such as Stellenberg, Bellville (33°52′07″S 18°39′17″E), but also in other provinces.

Sketch of Castle of Good Hope in 1680

In 1682 the gated entry replaced the old entrance, which had faced the sea. A bell tower, situated over the main entrance, was built in 1684—the original bell, the oldest in South Africa, was cast in Amsterdam in 1697 by the East-Frisian bellmaker Claude Fremy, and weighs just over 300 kilograms (660 lb). It was used to announce the time, as well as warning citizens in case of danger, since it could be heard 10 kilometres away. It was also rung to summon residents and soldiers when important announcements needed...

Castle of Food Hope is immensely historic. I would advise this for tourists and history buffs, not per say anyone who does not enjoy these types of things. Lets not avpid the role this played in the finding of South Africa especially so for the to be afrikaans future, and for the then Dutch, Portugese, and French who arrived, worked and lived at the Cape. Standing there knowing the immense role this castle had since its construction 300+ years ago, you can appreciate and admire the castle in full. The castle is highly explorable,with only limited areas cordoned or blocked off. Even on your own with no guide, you have access to old kitchens, armoury, the rooftops, old Canons, and many many more. There are staircases all over and you can spend many hours here if you also enjoy the actual architecture too. The inner rooms have multiple placards with a history of battles, cultures, weaponry and more. There are plenty of real antique furniture and weapons on display too, which is almost unbelievable to imagine was used in actual lives and warfare of some of our ancestors. The sad truth which I must mention is that many of the castles facilities are fairly worn down and neglected, and I think it is to do with the lack of popularity that history plays among the newer generations and their interests. Despite this one can see they do still have areas cordoned off for revamp and renovation, so I cannot fault them for not trying with likely limited resources. I absolutely appreciate the freedom you are allowed to have without security and all sorts eyeing you and asking you not to do this or not the go there etc, with fair requests here and there to not damage antiques, or use flash photography in some areas. Great visit ... if history...