Cape Town City Hall, Cape Town
City Hall and Grand Parade lie side by side, both the subject of ‘imminent transformations’, which date all the way back to 2002 and have as yet to come to fruition.
For years this beautiful, old building - the stairs of which were used by Nelson Mandela to address the nation when he was released from prison - has stood in the balance, its future undecided and its structure slowly falling into disrepair. This in no way diminishes City Hall’s popularity - it still remains one of the buildings sought out by visitors to Cape Town. Its original foundations were laid at the turn of the last century and it opened in July 1905, its Italian Renaissance style and classical façade on Darling Street, the imposing clock tower built to scale and exactly half the size of London’s Big Ben.
Consequently, there is much debate about just what will become of this space. Residential areas around here have, in the meantime, boomed and it is hoped that City Hall and Grand Parade will be restored with the residents of Cape Town in mind.
Accommodation nearby
For accommodation nearby see:
• Cape Town Central Accommodation • Devils Peak Accommodation • Foreshore Accommodation
• Gardens Accommodation • Granger Bay Accommodation • Higgovale Accommodation
• Highlands Estate Accommodation • Kloof Nek Accommodation • Oranjezicht Accommodation
• V&A Waterfront Accommodation • Vredehoek Accommodation • Woodstock Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Cape Town City Bowl Accommodation.
Attractions / Activities nearby
District Six Museum
When the apartheid government swooped on District Six, Cape Town in 1965, forcibly removing its occupants and declaring the area a "whites-only" zone, the rich fabric of an impoverished but vibrant community was torn to shreds. Over 60 000 people were wrenched from their homes, livelihoods ... more information
Greenmarket Square
You cannot visit Cape Town and not visit one of its oldest markets, set on a cobbled square between Short and long Market Streets. This is where Capetonians have been buying their clothing, jewellery, sandals, crafts and nick-nacks for years, and, whilst the face of the market may have changed a ... more information
Houses of Parliament
The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament - Cape Town is the legislative capital, whilst the seat of government is in Pretoria, the administrative capital - which is one of the biggest draw cards to the city under the mountain. Lying in the ... more information
South African Museum
The oldest museum in sub-Saharan Africa, the South African Museum (SAM) has been adding to their collections for nearly 200 years and was established in 1825. Collections here range from fossils to insects and fish found as recently as a week ago; there are Stone Age tools, over 120 000 years old, side by ... more information
South African National Gallery
Lying in the Company Gardens, opposite the South African Museum on Government Avenue, the South African National Gallery houses some of the most beautiful collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art in South Africa. The South African National Gallery’s permanent ... more information
Visiting City Hall?
Also see Things To Do in Cape Town City Bowl or check out Things To Do in Cape Town to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.
- Introduction to the Western Cape
- Destination Guide
- Accommodation Guide
- Search by Map
- Cape Town Conferences
- Wedding Guide
- Touring the Western Cape
- Transport & Travel Arrangements
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Urlaub in Kapstadt
destinations / attractions in the western cape
