| The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in | | | | preserved fortification of its kind built by the VOC |
| South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the | | | | in regions where it had interests. |
| Dutch East India Company, better known as the | | | | The Castle of Good Hope was the regional |
| VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this | | | | headquarters of the South African Army in the |
| pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and | | | | Western Cape, and houses the Castle Military |
| timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van | | | | Museum and ceremonial facilities for traditional |
| Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment | | | | Cape Regiments. |
| station at the Cape of Good Hope. | | | | "The Castle of Good Hope was not built in |
| In 1664 there were renewed rumours of war | | | | consecutive order, so you will jump around from |
| between Britain and the Netherlands and they | | | | one time of history to another as you explore |
| feared a British attack on the Cape. During that | | | | the Castle..." |
| same year Commander Zacharius Wagenaer was | | | | Jay Heale |
| instructed to build a five-pointed stone castle. On | | | | Inside the Castle: |
| 26 April 1679 the five bastions were named after | | | | The Castle Military Museum depicts the military |
| the main titles of Willem, the Prince of Orange. | | | | history of the Cape, the Castle and Cape |
| The western bastion was named Leerdam; | | | | Regiments. |
| followed in clockwise order by Buuren, | | | | The Willian Fehr collection consists of artwork |
| Catzenellenbogen, Nassau and Oranje. | | | | reflecting many aspects of cultural life at the |
| In 1682 the gateway replaced the old entrance, | | | | Cape from the early VOC days until the middle of |
| which faced the sea. The bell tower, situated | | | | the 19th century. Exhibitions of a contemporary |
| above the main entrance was built in 1684. The | | | | nature are occasionally presented. |
| original bell - the oldest in South Africa - was cast | | | | During the restoration of the inner courtyard, the |
| in Amsterdam in 1697 by Claude Frémy | | | | foundations of the early 18th century bakery and |
| and weighs 670 lbs. It was used to tell the hours | | | | pool were discovered. The building, currently |
| and warn citizens of danger and it could be heard | | | | known as Het Bakhuys, has been reconstructed |
| about 10 km away. It was also rung to call | | | | on these foundations. The original Dolphin pool was |
| residents and soldiers to the Castle for important | | | | named after the impressive fountain in the form |
| announcements. | | | | of a dolphin in the middle of the pool. Het Bakhuys |
| Inside the walls of the Castle there were among | | | | also caters for functions and conferences. |
| others a church, bakery, workshops, living | | | | The Castle forge is located in the earliest |
| quarters, offices, cells and numerous other | | | | blacksmith workshop in South Africa. The Castle's |
| facilities. The yellow paint on the walls was chosen | | | | forge was initially built for the upkeep and |
| because of its ability to reduce heat and glare | | | | maintenance of the Castle's hardware and steel |
| from sunlight. A wall divides the inner courtyard of | | | | goods. |
| the Castle. The division was initially intended to | | | | In her letters Lady Anne Barnard describes balls |
| provide protection to the inhabitants of the Castle | | | | held at the Castle during her stay here at the end |
| in the event of an attack. The well-known Kat | | | | of the 18th century. These letters written from |
| Balcony is an outstanding feature of the dividing | | | | the Cape, describing many of the facets of the |
| wall. | | | | life of that time, have made her a legendary |
| The original balcony was built in 1695, then rebuilt | | | | figure. The ballroom, over 180 feet in length, was |
| in its present form by the VOC between 1786 | | | | originally divided into many smaller rooms of which |
| and 1790. From this balcony proclamations and | | | | one was occupied as her bed chamber. Since then |
| announcements were made to the soldiers, slaves | | | | the beamed ceilings have been covered with |
| and civilians at the Cape. This balcony leads to the | | | | plaster and the room in its presence state is used |
| famous William Fehr Collection of historical | | | | as a Banqueting Room. |
| paintings and period furniture, which have a special | | | | Visit the notorious dungeon. As a result of rising |
| relevance to the Cape of Good Hope. | | | | damp, the dungeon was not fit to store gun |
| In 1936 the Castle of Good Hope was declared a | | | | powder as intended and was later used as a |
| national monument. As a result of an extensive, | | | | prison for the accused awaiting trial. |
| ongoing restoration programme launched in the | | | | Come for a visit. |
| 1980s, the Castle of Good Hope remains the best | | | | |