Castle of Good Hope
Castle of Good Hope | |
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South Africa | |
Coordinates | 33°55′33″S 18°25′40″E / 33.9259°S 18.4278°E |
Type | Bastion fort |
Site information | |
Controlled by | South Africa |
Open to the public | Yes |
Site history | |
Built | 1666–1679 |
Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
The Castle of Good Hope (
History
Built by the
During 1664, tensions between
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
The fortress housed a church, bakery, various workshops, living quarters, shops, and cells, among other facilities. The yellow paint on the walls was originally chosen because it lessened the effect of heat and the sun. A wall, built to protect citizens in case of an attack, divides the inner courtyard, which also houses the De Kat Balcony,[note 1] [self-published source?] which was designed by Louis Michel Thibault with reliefs and sculptures by Anton Anreith. The original was built in 1695, but rebuilt in its current form between 1786 and 1790. From the balcony, announcements were made to soldiers, slaves and burghers of the Cape. The balcony leads to the William Fehr collection of paintings and antique furniture.[6][self-published source?] It was briefly home to Lady Anne Barnard, after whom one of the Castle function rooms is named.
During the
In 1936, the Castle was declared an historical monument (from 1969 known as a national monument and since 1 April 2000 a provincial heritage site), the first site in South Africa to be so protected.[11] Extensive restorations were completed during the 1980s making the Castle the best preserved example of a Dutch East India Company fort.[4]
The Castle acted as local headquarters for the
Cape Heritage Museum
The Cape Heritage Museum, located within the historic Castle of Good Hope in South Africa, is curated by Mr. Igshaan Higgins. This museum provides an inclusive narrative of South Africa's history, highlighting the interactions among different communities such as the Khoi, San, and Dutch, through various epochs including colonialism and apartheid. It aims to offer a balanced reflection on the nation's diverse heritage and complex past. [12][13]
Symbolism
Prior to being replaced in 2003, the distinctive shape of the pentagonal castle was used on South African Defence Force flags, formed the basis of some rank insignia of major and above, and was used on South African Air Force aircraft.
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The South African Defence Force Ensign from 1994 to 2003
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Naval ensign of South Africa prior to 1994, showing the castle insignia
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Roundel of the South African Air Force from 1982 to 2003
Gallery
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Inner view of the entrance
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The six historical flags that have flown over the Cape, in chronological order from right to left: theflag of the United Kingdom, the old South African flag, and the current South African flag
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Pediment above entrance to castle.
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Entrance of main building
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A cannon in the castle
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A model of the castle as it would have appeared between 1710 and 1790.
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The courtyard with the main entrance on the left
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The old museum
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The main entrance from inside the Castle
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The Castle is surrounded by a canal
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Lady Anne Barnard fountain
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The fountain inside the Castle
See also
- Fortifications of the Cape Peninsula
- History of Cape Colony Pre-1806
- Noon Gun
- List of castles and fortifications in South Africa
- House of Hope (fort)
Notes
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Dirk Teeuwen (2007) Kasteel De Goede Hoop, Castle of Good Hope Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Home". castleofgoodhope.co.za.
- ^ a b "Castle of Good Hope". places.co.za. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ ISBN 0-86977-186-8
- ^ a b c d e "Colonial Voyage – The website dedicated to the Colonial History". Colonial Voyage. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010.[self-published source?]
- ^ van Gelder, Elles (28 June 2023). "Nazaten slaafgemaakten in Zuid-Afrika willen ook Nederlandse erkenning" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Welcome to the Castle of Good Hope". Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ Cape Town Highlanders "De Kat Balcony". Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2010., Dirk Teeuwen (2007) Kasteel De Goede Hoop[self-published source?]
- ISBN 1-879356-32-5.
- ^ p.2, Oberholster JJ, The Historical Monuments of South Africa, Cape Town: The Rembrandt van Rijn Foundation, 1972
- ^ "Slave Heritage Museum | An unedited history of South Africa". Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Explorer, Museum (20 February 2023). "Cape Heritage Museum". Museum Explorer SA. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
Further reading
- Lalou Meltzer (1997). The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town. Art Link. ISBN 0-620-20823-6.
- Ras, A.C. (1959). Die Kasteel en Ander Vroe Kaapse Vestingwerke. Tafelberg-Uitgewers
- Eric Rosenthal (1966). 300 years of the Castle at Cape Town. H.M. Joynt.