Images of Castle of Good Hope
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Castle of Good Hope and its collection
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The Castle of Good Hope, also known as Fort de Bonne-Espérance, is a star fort located in Cape Town, South Africa. It was built on the original coast of Table Bay, which is now in the city center due to land reclaimed from the sea. This historical site was constructed by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679, making it the oldest European-built structure in South Africa.
Interior of the Castle of Good Hope
The fort houses a church, a bakery, various trades, living quarters, shops, and rooms. The yellow paint on the walls was chosen for its ability not to store heat. An interior wall divides the fort into two, providing an additional rampart in case of attack, and also supports the Kat Balcony, designed by Louis-Michel Thibault, featuring sculptures by Anton Anreith.
Current Use and Preservation of the Castle of Good Hope
Today, the Castle of Good Hope houses the Castle Military Museum and facilities for the Traditional Cape Regiments. The fort was declared a national monument in 1936. After significant restorations in the 1980s, the fort is now the best-preserved structure built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC).