Cape Town is one of the oldest cities in South Africa.  With dozens of beautiful and historic buildings in Cape Town scattered around the inner city. As commercial or residential properties many of these buildings are still in use, while others have been converted into museums. Read on to discover some of the most iconic historical monuments in Cape Town. The city was the center of European colonization and boasts a melting pot of cultures brought about by the slave trade. Survived Apartheid and eventually, it has endured naval battles around its shores, became a massive part of the birth of South Africa’s young democracy. Remembering its past the city has an abundance of museums and memorials. Here’s a look at some of the top monuments in Cape Town:

Famous Monuments in Capetown 

1. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of the monuments in Cape Town South Africa and most popularly visited landmark. A cable car (gondola) takes visitors to its summit at 1,085 meters / 3,563 feet in just six minutes. The spectacular panoramic views never fail to impress, on a clear day. The various paths that lead over the mountain are more adventurous can follow and enjoy even more stunning views of both the city and ocean. Alternatively, hikers by climbing down via the Plateeklip Gorge can give the cable car a miss on the return journey.

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2. Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is the ancient building and national monuments in Cape Town, built by Dutch colonialists between 1666 and 1679. The pentagonal fort served as the government operations and seat of the military for over two centuries. It offers a fascinating insight into Cape Town’s cultural past and open to the general public

 

3. Old Town House

The Old Town House was built in 1755  on Cape Town’s central Greenmarket Square in the Cape Rococo style. As a watch-house, a senate, and the main city hall The Old Town House served until the Cape Town City Hall was opened. From the 17th-century Golden Age, today the Cape Town historic building is a museum that houses the world-renowned Max Michaelis Collection of Netherlandish Art.

4. South African Museum

For over a century, the South African Museum has been a Company’s Garden institution. The South African Museum has been situated in its current location since 1897, founded by Lord Charles Somerset in 1825. The museum houses fascinating zoology, archaeology, and paleontology collections, a planetarium and is operated by Iziko Museums of South Africa. A variety of temporary exhibitions are also available here. It is considered in one of the historic buildings in Cape Town CBD

 

5. Slave Lodge

The Slave Lodge is the second oldest building and historical monuments in Cape Town and has a stark, somber history. In 1679 to house the thousands of slaves brought to Cape Town and it was built by the Dutch East India Company during the 17th through the 19th centuries. The Slave Lodge served as government offices, a supreme court, and the SA Cultural History Museum after slavery was abolished. The building was converted into a museum in 1998 and today explores the long history of slavery in South Africa. To raise awareness of and address issues around human rights, the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.

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6. St. George’s Cathedral

St. George’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town and is the oldest cathedral in southern Africa. Boasting high arches and stained-glass windows, the beautiful monuments in Cape Town was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1936. During apartheid, the cathedral is renowned for its oppositional stance and is a symbol of democracy in South Africa. The cathedral was a common meeting point for political activists of all races during the apartheid struggle, affectionately known as the ‘people’s church,’ 

7. Long Street

Cape Town’s City Bowl is a must for any visitor and a stroll down this bohemian street is amazing. House an eclectic mix of boutiques, bookshops, bars, and clubs Its Victorian buildings. Including the 18th-century Palm Tree Mosque, there are also a number of interesting historic mosques and similar landmarks along the way. A trip to famous monuments in Cape Town is incomplete without strolling here. 

8. Victoria and Albert Waterfront 

The revamped Victoria and Albert Waterfront, once a rather neglected harbor, is now a vibrant cultural and leisure center, and one of the city’s most trendy and appealing modern-day monuments of Capetown. Victorian warehouses making this a great both to shop and dine out because it is home to restaurants, cafes, and shops. Around the docks on a chartered cruise boat, visitors can also enjoy the added bonus of a sail. You will be sure that you are in the right place lookout for the very distinctive red Clock Tower

 

9. Rhodes Memorial

A huge granite reminder of the power and wealth of empire builder on the eastern side of Table Mountain is the Rhodes Memorial, former prime minister and founder of the De Beers Mining Company, Cecil Rhodes. The Hyde Park in London, the memorial itself is said to replicate the arch of it. The magnificent panoramic views to be had over Table Bay and False Bay perhaps more memorable than other historical sites. For refreshments at an outdoor tearoom, visitors can stop off next to the memorial. It is now counted in one of the best monuments in Cape Town. 

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10. De Tuynhuys 

This popular monument in Cape Town is of particular significance for those visitors who are interested in the recent history of the city. In 1992, F.W. de Klerk announced the end of apartheid to the world this is the place. The De Tuynhuys itself has an interesting background of the building. It has since been used as an official residence for governor but originally a guesthouse in the 17th century for housing important visitors to Cape Town,  and, later, State Presidents

 

11. City Hall

This important monument in Cape Town was the scene of Nelson Mandela’s dramatic address on his release from prison to the South African nation. Cape Town’s City Hall remains a popular item on visitors’ itineraries whilst it is not in the best state of repair. As a city hall in 1905The building first opened its doors. Include exterior, dressed in Bath Stone, and a clock tower Its most notable features which are said to be precisely half the size of London’s Big Ben. By the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the City Hall is also used as a concert venue.

12. Bo-Kaap Museum

The Bo-Kaap Museum built between 1763 and 1768  was originally a residential house. It is formerly known as Malay Quarter. This building in Cape Town South Africa is a rare example of early Cape Dutch architecture. The house was opened as a museum after restorations in the 1970s showcasing artifacts of Muslim cultural heritage. Today the museum offers a unique insight into the history of Cape Town and Muslim culture and is run by Iziko Museums

 

13. Groote Kerk

Built by Herman Schuette in 1841, the Groote Kerk is the oldest church in South Africa, and it replaced a former church on the same ground. With nearly 6000 pipes, the Dutch Reformed church houses South Africa’s largest organ. The Groote Kerk was attended by slave owners during the colonial times while their slaves waited outside under the ‘slave tree.’

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14. Old Reserve Bank Building

The old Reserve Bank Building is an iconic and beautiful Cape Town building that takes some seeking out. Though today it forms part of the luxury Taj Hotel, you’ll find it on the corner of St. George’s Mall and Wale Street. The monument of Cape Town was designed by South African architect James Morris and construction was finished in 1932. The spectacular exterior is untouched through the lavish interiors that have been updated to better serve as a hotel.

15. Houses of Parliament

With the original building completed in 1884, the Houses of Parliament consists of three main sections. The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces both existed in this Cape Town monument. Featuring Cape Dutch accents, the original Neoclassical-style building overlooks the lush Company’s Garden while the newer buildings are accessible from Plein Street. Visitors can enter the precinct at certain times of the year, the Houses of Parliament are still in use by the government

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