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CAPE TOWN: One of the most visited Cities in SOUTH AFRICA | 10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT IT
Cape Town is one of the most-visited cities in South Africa. It is rich with history and tradition, but also has a contemporary air to it. The Mother city is so well received that a few celebrities even own property in this beautiful city. Tourists and residents get around the city using private transport, bicycles, tandem bicycles, buses, hired cars and the good old manner of walking and hiking. For the more adventurous, the city can also be viewed from the air if you book a flight on helicopter. CPT is a city for everyone, from historians, to nature lovers, to fashionistas and even foodies.
Cape town is famous for its 280-million-year-old mountain with a flat top. It is called ‘Table Mountain’ because its shape resembles a tabletop. It is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world and is home to more or less two-thousand plant species, many which are endemic to the mountain.
A French astrologist identified a star constellation while conducting astrological observations in the Southern sky, which he named “Mensa”, which is the Latin word for “table” and refers to its shape being similar to that of Table Mountain.
The top of Table Mountain can be reached through using a cableway or following a hiking trail.
Robben Island is only a six kilometre ferry ride from the Cape coast and a UNESCO World heritage site. The name “Robben Island” comes from the Dutch word “robben” meaning “seals”, and got its name due to its big seal population. The Dutch settlers used seal skins and oils to supply for their settlement on the island back in 1654.
Later in the 17th century, the island was used as a maximum-security prison and continued to be a prison until 1996. South Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned on the island for 18 years before being released.
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa and was built between 1666 and 1767. It was built in the shape of a pentagon to ensure maximum defence in the case that it should be attacked. Ironically, the castle has never been under attack. The five bastions of the tower were named after British prince and later king, William the third of Orange-Nassau. He ruled among others, the Netherlands which colonised the Cape.
During the second Boer-war the castle was used as a prison, and some people believe the dungeons to be haunted. In 1936 the castle was declared a historical monument. And today people can visit the castle and book guided tours. Not at the castle itself, but usually visited as an extension of the castle tour, is the noon gun on Signal Hill. Two black powder Dutch naval guns are situated on signal hill and since 1964 alternates to fire a shot as exactly 12 o’clock in the afternoon. This was originally used to signal ships to check their chronometers, which was crucial for navigating the rough seas.
Kirstenbosch is one of the world’s great botanical gardens. The estate covers 528 hectares of land, which only 36ha is cultivated and the rest protected area. The botanical garden, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to 4700 plant species, more than 125 bird species, many insects, amphibians, small antelope and other wildlife. The wildlife, like small antelope is scarcely seen as they are mostly active at dusk and when all the visitors have left.
For the art lovers, there are art exhibitions in the garden and in a dedicated building, the garden also regularly hosts artists playing live music. For the hikers and explorers, there are five different trials that run through the Kirstenbosch gardens. Or if you are only looking to relax, you can pack a basket and picnic on the grass.
Cape Town is famous as the Wine Capital of South Africa, and a treat for any wine enthusiast. There are a total of 148 wine farms in Cape Town and the surrounding area, and eight popular wine routes that can be followed.
The wine routes can be explored as a tour group, like booking a trip on the wine tram or another private tour and farm-hopping. Alternatively, guests can book accommodation at the wine farms or estates itself and enjoy the calmer and luxurious stay.
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Published Sep 19, 2023
