History Culture Cruise Port Guide

Cape Town's History & Culture

Town's History and Culture

the city's outstanding museums provides an excellent start. At the same time, your guide will point out major highlights during an orientation drive en route to the museums on your itinerary.

Located at the end of Adderley Street, the museum occupies a building that was used in the late 17th century by the Dutch East India Company as a slave lodge and unofficial brothel. The British changed the Old Slave Lodge into the city's Supreme Court and today it houses this eclectic and rather eccentric museum. Exhibits include the 'Post Office Stones' under which seafarers rounding the Cape from the 15th to the 17th centuries left messages for each other.

Next, a stroll takes you through what is known as the Company Gardens. Part botanical collection, part park, they started life in 1652 as the first colony's vegetable patch, later to become ornamental gardens. Rare plants were introduced from Asia, and today massive exotic trees shade the walkways.

mountain end of the Company Gardens, the museum is the oldest and arguably the most interesting one in South Africa. It features an extensive natural history collection of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects. Of particular interest are also the life-size models of bushmen and their paintings displayed on the upper floor.

Your next visit is this small but exquisite gallery which houses some of the finest modern paintings and sculptures. Most notable is a life-size sculpture of 'The Butcher Boys,' depicting three youths seated on a bench, horns sprouting from their heads, and spines bursting from their backs. The gallery gift shop has some interesting books and a good selection of indigenous arts and crafts. Enjoy a complimentary cup of tea before leaving the Company Gardens and driving back to the ship.