Cape Town Tourist Attractions – Museums and Galleries

Cultural History Museum

The Cultural History Museum is at the top of Adderley Street, opposite the Gardens. This beautiful 17th century building has had a varied history, being a different times a lodge for slaves as well as the Cape Supreme Court. Today, it houses some fine collections of Cape silverware and furniture amongst its displays. The tombstones of Van Riebeeck and his wife lie in the cobbled courtyard.

Koopmans de Wet House and Rust-en-Vreugd

Associated with this museum is a collection of other city houses that have been restored and preserved as outstanding examples of different architectural periods and lifestyles. These include the Koopmans de Wet House at Strand Street and Rust-en-Vreugd at Buitenkant Street.

District Six Museum

The District Six Museum, a little further along at Buitenkant Street presents the other side of the coin – relics of a vibrant inner-city community destroyed during the apartheid era in the name of racing purity.

Bo-Kaap Museum

At Wale Street, the Bo-Kaap Museum portrays in detail the lifestyle of a wealthy 19th century Muslim family, complete with prayer room.

South African National Gallery

The Company’s Gardens is the peaceful setting for the South African National Gallery which during the apartheid era built up an impressive collection of mainly Western and including works by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Rodin. The current acquisitions policy is now, however biased against “Eurocentrism” and towards indigenous art.

Jewish Museum

Nearby is the Jewish Museum and synagogue, housing a rich collection of items depicting the history of the Cape Town Hebrew Congregation.

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