Robben Island, Cape Town
Robben Island, situated in Table Bay just under 7 kilometers west of Bloubergstrand, to the north of Cape Town, holds great historical importance, particularly regarding South Africa's struggle against apartheid. Its name, coming from the Dutch word for seals ("robben"), reflects its original inhabitants and means Seal(s) Island in Dutch/Afrikaans. The island's shape is roughly oval, about 3.3 kilometers long from north to south and 1.9 kilometers wide, covering an area of 5.08 square kilometers. It's quite flat and only a few meters above sea level, with its current appearance shaped by ancient erosion.
Historically, Robben Island served as a fortified prison from the late 17th century until 1996, playing a significant role in the country's colonial and apartheid past. It gained international recognition as the place where Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle and a symbol of resilience and reconciliation, was imprisoned for 18 years of his 27-year captivity before South Africa became fully democratic. Mandela's time on Robben Island symbolizes his lasting impact; he later received the Nobel Peace Prize and became South Africa's first black president, serving from 1994 to 1999.
Robben Island's importance goes beyond Mandela. It housed numerous political prisoners, including Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, who both later became presidents of South Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This history highlights the island's role in the country's political evolution and journey towards democracy.
Today, Robben Island is recognized as both a South African National Heritage Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolizing the victory of democracy and human rights over racial discrimination and oppression. It stands as a testament to the resilience of humanity and the enduring pursuit of freedom and justice, drawing visitors worldwide who wish to learn and pay homage to this significant period in South Africa's history.
Historically, Robben Island served as a fortified prison from the late 17th century until 1996, playing a significant role in the country's colonial and apartheid past. It gained international recognition as the place where Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle and a symbol of resilience and reconciliation, was imprisoned for 18 years of his 27-year captivity before South Africa became fully democratic. Mandela's time on Robben Island symbolizes his lasting impact; he later received the Nobel Peace Prize and became South Africa's first black president, serving from 1994 to 1999.
Robben Island's importance goes beyond Mandela. It housed numerous political prisoners, including Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, who both later became presidents of South Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This history highlights the island's role in the country's political evolution and journey towards democracy.
Today, Robben Island is recognized as both a South African National Heritage Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolizing the victory of democracy and human rights over racial discrimination and oppression. It stands as a testament to the resilience of humanity and the enduring pursuit of freedom and justice, drawing visitors worldwide who wish to learn and pay homage to this significant period in South Africa's history.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cape Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Robben Island on Map
Sight Name: Robben Island
Sight Location: Cape Town, South Africa (See walking tours in Cape Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Cape Town, South Africa (See walking tours in Cape Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Cape Town, South Africa
Create Your Own Walk in Cape Town
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cape Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Houses Walking Tour
When Jan van Riebeeck arrived in Cape Town in 1652, his mission was to establish here a supply station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. The oldest buildings in today's Cape Town, dating from the second half of the 17th century, are the remnants of that era.
Garden House, originally a shabby tool shed owned by the Dutch East... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Garden House, originally a shabby tool shed owned by the Dutch East... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Bo-Kaap Quarter Walking Tour
Bo-Kaap is Afrikaans for "above the Cape." The Bo-Kaap District is above Cape Town's city center, on the slopes of Signal Hill. It is the historical center of Cape Malay culture. In the 1760s, Jan de Waal bought land here and built houses he rented to his slaves.
Slaves came from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Africa. Many of these slaves were Muslim, and this area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Slaves came from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Africa. Many of these slaves were Muslim, and this area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Cape Town Introduction Walking Tour
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias first mentioned the Cape of Storms in 1488, but it was soon renamed the Cape of Good Hope with an optimistic eye towards the trade routes it offered between Europe and the East.
In 1652, the Dutch East India Company settled a way-station here for ships traveling that route. Cape Town's natural harbor and strategic position made it the perfect location.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
In 1652, the Dutch East India Company settled a way-station here for ships traveling that route. Cape Town's natural harbor and strategic position made it the perfect location.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Cape Town Shopping Tour
Cape Town is grand with quality shopping. The available options here, such as South Africa's top flea market where you can find a wealth of merchandise, from tribal costumes to precious jewelry, offer a colorful experience for both locals and tourists.
Among the standout locations in Cape Town that shoppers particularly love to explore is Adderley Street. This bustling thoroughfare is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Among the standout locations in Cape Town that shoppers particularly love to explore is Adderley Street. This bustling thoroughfare is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Distinctively South African Things to Buy in Cape Town
The many hopes pinned on this place (Cape of Good Hope) by passing-by sailors over the centuries must have done a good job for Cape Town, seeing it become a colorful cultural hub and prominent metropolis (3rd largest) in South Africa. Overlooking the meeting point of the two oceans (Indian and...