| THE CAPE TOUR 3 |
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Greenmarket Square |
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| An old historic cobbled square in the centre of town, lined with trees and little cafés. At day a buzzing flea and clothing market with all the colourful sounds and sights the city has to offer. The Old Town House, which dates from 1755, is situated on the square. Cape Town's former city hall is now a museum housing the Michaelis collection of 17th century Dutch and Flemish masters. |
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False Bay |
| False Bay is a 30km by 30km inlet lying south of Cape Town between the mountains of the Cape Peninsula and the Hottentots-Holland range. In summer the water in the bay is considerably warmer than the waters of Table Bay and the Atlantic coast of the Peninsula. False Bay is one of South Africa's principle angling areas and is of great significance to marine biologists. It is bordered by many delightful seaside resorts and a 35km stretch of beach. |
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Groot Constantia |
| Groot Constantia is one of the Cape's original wine estates. Established
in 1685 by Simon van der Stel (then Governor of the Cape), it is
regarded as one of South Africa's foremost wine estates, both historically
and aesthetically. The homestead is a museum portraying life on
a farm in the early 1800's. Groot Constantia is also one of the most accessible and enjoyable places to buy some of the Cape's finest wines. For information phone 794 5067. |
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Houses of Parliament |
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| The Houses of Parliament are an imposing collection of buildings in the centre of the city adjacent to Government Avenue and the Company Gardens. Next to Parliament is the historic Tuynhuis, which houses the Cape Town offices of the President. Tuynhuis (meaning "Garden Home") has a beautifully restored formal garden which is visible from Government Avenue. The surrounding buildings house ministerial and government offices. |
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Hout Bay |
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| Hout Bay, situated on the western side of the peninsula, is enclosed by mountains and guarded on the seaward side by the peak known as the Sentinel. The harbour is the home of a fishing fleet, catching snoek in winter and crayfish in summer, fish and crayfish are processed in factories in the vicinity of the harbour. |
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Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens |
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| The showpiece of South Africa's wildflower heritage, the gardens were established in 1911 on the farm bought by Cecil John Rhodes in 1895 to preserve the slopes of Table Mountain. It is one of the best-known botanical gardens in the world and provides glorious walks and views amongst the more than 4000 species of indigenous South African plants cultivated there. | ||
| There are also many fine specimens
of foreign species growing in the garden. Kirstenbosch is home
to the National Botanical Institute and the Botanical Society
of Southern Africa. |
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Kramats |
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| During the 17th century Imams in the Dutch East Indies (Imams
- Muslim spiritual leaders) were exciled to the Cape, many were
incacerated on Robben Island. On their release quite a few joined
the community of Malayan, Javanese and Indonesian slaves and artisans
who had settled on the slopes of Signal Hill. Twenty five Imams are buried in Tombs known as the Kramats situated in a circle around Cape Town - from Robben Island to the Cape Flats, Muizenberg, Constantia, Llandudno, Camps Bay and Signal Hill. The Muslim community believes that this circle of Kramats creates a spiritual shield around the city, protecting it from natural disasters. Kramats are open to all and there is no entrance fee. To show respect, dress modestly - no shorts, miniskirts or revealing clothes. |
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