home - about us - site map - links - contact us | Accommodation Search |
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Clock Tower The original Port Captain's Office, the Clock Tower was built in 1882 and is still one of the greatest icons of the Cape Town harbor. The "mirror room" on the second floor was designed to give the Port Captain a full view of the harbor and the tide-gouge mechanism on the ground floor gave important readings regarding the tides. Time Ball Tower Invented by Captain Robert Wauchope, this device was used to correct the chronometers on a ship. Built in 1894 by the Dock House (Harbour Engineer's former residence), the tower was recommissioned in 1997 after 63 years of not been in use. The Dragon Tree A species of plant thought to come from the Canary Islands, this tree found a home next to the Time Ball Tower. Legends about the tree maintain that a passing sailor planted it over 100 years ago. One of the largest of its kind in Cape Town, the sap was use in medicine ages ago and was called dragon's blood, which is how the tree got it's name. A large storm damages the tree in 2001 and it is now in the process of renewell Robben Island Embarkation Building Once serving as a prison for Nelson Mandela, this historical building
was a holding point for prisoners leaving for Robben Island at Quay
5. Next to the Clock Tower Building is the The Robben Island Exhibition
and Information Centre where you can learn the history of Robben
Island and the political struggles that go with it. Bookings for
guided tours are essential, and can be made at tel: +27 (0)21 419
1300. Once the home to prisoners working the breakwater it is now the residence of the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business and the Breakwater Lodge. This building stands as a reminder of what prisoners where forced to do in the late 18th centaury. South African Maritime Museum Showcasing the history of Table Bay, this museum houses the largest collection of model ships in South Africa. The maritime history is an important part of Cape Town and led to the successful colonization of South Africa. In the harbor are two historical ships that offer tours on board, one is a retired naval defence ship (SAS Somerset) and the other a a coal-fired steam tug (Alwyn Vintcent). Chavonnes Battery Decommissioned in 1861 the Chavonnes Battery served a number of functions in its history. From the defence of Table Bay harbor to housing patients of the old Somerset Hospital. The Dutch East India Company began construction in 1714 and completed it in 1725 making it one of the oldest European structures in South Africa. Described as being the most formidable of the Table Bay fortifications it is a truly amazing piece of architecture. |