The oldest indications of human settlement at this, the southwestern-most tip of the African continent, date back to around 15-20 000 years ago. Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans, the area was inhabited by groups of nomadic Khoi peoples. The first recorded visit by a European is that of the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who arrived here in 1486 whilst endeavouring to reach the East Indies. The first major settlement by Europeans, however, dates to 1652, when on the 6th of April Jan van Riebeeck landed to start a refreshment post for Dutch ships passing the Cape en route to the Indies, as instructed by his superiors the Heere XVII, the Dutch council responsible for Dutch Colonies.
Today Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa after Johannesburg. Its metropolitan population of 3,8 million places it is the same category as Los Angeles and Yokohama. The Cape Peninsula (the city and it’s immediate surroundings, as well as Table Mountain and Cape Point) draws the bulk of both domestic and international tourists and is much loved for its mild Mediterranean climate, its spectacular scenery, its outstanding world-class wines, its cosmopolitan air and mouthwatering food. It’s a city for people who love to live to the full, who enjoy the very finest life can offer and who enjoy being close to Nature.
The city centre as seen from Signal Hill.
Looking east over the northern suburbs like Bellville and Durbanville towards the distant mountain range beyond which the interior starts. The hill on the left is Tygerberg Hill.
The entrance to the Castle of Good Hope. Built by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679, the Castle is the oldest existing building in South Africa. It replaced an older fort called the Fort de Goede Hoop which was constructed from clay and timber and built by Jan van Riebeeck upon his arrival at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652.
The old Town Hall, Cape Town, as seen from the Grand Parade. This large Edwardian building was built in 1905. It is located on the Grand Parade to the west of the Castle and is built from honey-coloured oolitic limestone imported from Bath in England.
Flower sellers on Adderley Street. The flower sellers have been operating from this position for at least a century and form an integral part of Cape Town’s attractions.
The imposing entrance to the Standard Bank Building.
The Standard Bank building on Adderley Street . Designed by Charles Freeman, the building was completed in 1881. In 1922 two more storeys were added.
The beautiful blend of old and new which is Cape Town.
On the corner of Bloem and Long Streets, looking along the latter. Long Street is lined with beautifully preserved old Victorian buildings and a hub for nightlife.
The V&A is abuzz 24/7, all year round.
Looking northeast and out into Table Bay.
Inside the Victoria Wharf shopping centre at the V&A Waterfront.
With over 450 retail outlets selling everything from fashion, home-ware and curios, to jewellery, leather goods and audio-visual equipment, the Waterfront is also still a working harbour and the fishing boats can be seen working bringing in fresh fish or the large container ships being towed in by the tugboats.
The Waterfront is Cape Town’s premier entertainment venue and home to many outstanding restaurants.
The V&A Waterfront with Table Mountain and Lions Head in the background.
Fishing trawlers in the working docks of the Victoria and Albert Waterfront.
A glimpse of the colourful houses of the Bo-Kaap (Upper Cape). This area was previously known as the Malay Quarter, because this is where slaves from Malaya settled in the eighteenth century. The minaret of the mosque is indicative of the strong Muslim character of the people of the Bo-Kaap.
Looking down on part of the suburb of Sea Point.
Lions Head on the right, as seen from Signal Hill, with the westerly edge of Table Mountain (and the upper cableway station on top) on the right. Between them we see the mountain range known as the Twelve Apostles.
A wider view to the east, with the Durbanville Hills on the far right.
Another view of the CBD with the harbour on the left and the Royal Cape Yacht Club’s marina in the top left corner. Much of the land in this view has been reclaimed from the sea.
Devils Peak, and below it the suburbs of Oranjezicht, Gardens, Vredehoek, Zonnebloem and Tamboerskloof.
Looking back towards Table Mountain from the road to Signal Hill. Devils Peak is on the far left.
Thank you for taking the time to get a tiny look at a very small part of the wonderful place!