Fortifications of the Cape Peninsula
Encyclopedia
Dozens of fortifications were built in Cape Town
and the Cape Peninsula
between the 1650s and the 1940s. Most have gone, but a few still stand.
18th century
19th century
20th century
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and the Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
between the 1650s and the 1940s. Most have gone, but a few still stand.
List of fortifications
Entries in bold indicate that the building still stands, either intact or in ruinsDutch colonial period (1652-1795)
17th century- Fort de Goede HoopFort de Goede HoopThe Fort de Goede Hoop was the first military building to be erected in what is now Cape Town. It was built in 1652, and was in use until 1674 when it was superseded by the Castle of Good Hope....
(1652–1674) -- Table Bay (present Grand Parade) - Tranenborg (1652-?) -- Table Bay (Salt River mouth)
- DuynhoopRedout DuijnhoopThe Redoubt Duijnhoop was a square demi-bastioned clay and timber Redoubt built fort constructed at the mouth of the Salt River, leading into Table Bay, South Africa in January–February 1654. It formed part of the defences of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie 'VOC' replenishment station,...
(1654–1672) -- Table Bay (Salt River mouth) - Coornhoop (1657–1662) -- present-day MowbrayMowbray, Cape TownMowbray is one of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. Its original name was Driekoppen .-Geography:Mowbray is bounded on the west by the M3 freeway, beyond which lies Devil's Peak, and on the north by the N2 freeway, beyond which lies the suburb of Observatory...
- Kyckuyt (1659-1670s) -- present-day Paarden Eiland
- Keert de Koe (1659-1670s) -- present-day Maitland
- Houdt den Bul (1659–1663) -- present-day BishopscourtBishopscourt, Cape TownBishopscourt is a small, wealthy, residential suburb in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is part of the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, created in 2000, which includes the greater Cape Town area. It has approximately 350 houses most of which reside on...
- Ruyterwacht (1659-1660s) -- present-day RondeboschRondeboschRondebosch is one of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. It is primarily a residential suburb, with a medium-size shopping area, a small business district as well as the main campus of the University of Cape Town.-History:...
- Santhoop (1661-?) -- Table Bay (near Salt River mouth)
- Castle of Good HopeCastle of Good HopeThe Castle of Good Hope is a star fort which was built on the original coastline of Table Bay and now, because of land reclamation, lies nearer to the Cape Town city centre in South Africa.-History:...
(born 1674) -- Table Bay
18th century
- Chavonnes BatteryChavonnes BatteryThe Chavonnes battery was a fortification protecting Cape Town, South Africa. Built in the early 18th century, it has served many purposes but is now a museum.-History:...
(1726–1860) -- Table Bay - Fort De Knokke (1744–1926) -- Table Bay
- Sea Lines (1744–1827) -- Table Bay
- Imhoff Battery (1744–1896) -- Table Bay (next to Castle)
- Muizenberg Fort (1740s-1827) -- near present Natale Labia Art Museum
- French Lines (or Military Lines) (1781-1827—present-day Trafalgar Park (Woodstock)
- Gordon Battery (c1781-?) -- slopes of Devil's PeakDevil's Peak (Cape Town)Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town. When looking at Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or when looking at the standard picture postcard view of the mountain, the skyline is from left to right: the spire of Devil's Peak, the flat mesa of Table Mountain,...
- Kloof Nek Battery (c1781-1827) -- Kloof Nek (between Table MountainTable MountainTable Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
and Lion's HeadLion's Head (Cape Town)Lion's Head is a mountain located in Cape Town, South Africa, between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. Lion's Head peaks at above sea level. The peak forms part of a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town and is part of the Table Mountain National Park.... - Camps Bay Battery—present-day Camps Bay High School
- Conway Redoubt (c1781-?) -- Constantia Nek
- Gilquin Battery (later West Fort) (1781-1827 -- Hout BayHout BayHout Bay is the name of a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa with a mix of neighbourhoods from the very rich to the very poor. It lies in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula and is twenty kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town...
- Zoutman Battery (later East Fort) (1781-1827 -- Hout BayHout BayHout Bay is the name of a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa with a mix of neighbourhoods from the very rich to the very poor. It lies in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula and is twenty kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town...
- Amsterdam Battery (1787-1900s) -- Table Bay (near present V&A Waterfront entrance)
- Coehoorn Battery (1780s-?) -- slopes of Devil's PeakDevil's Peak (Cape Town)Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town. When looking at Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or when looking at the standard picture postcard view of the mountain, the skyline is from left to right: the spire of Devil's Peak, the flat mesa of Table Mountain,...
- Rogge Bay Battery (1780s-1827—present St John's Arcade, Riebeeck Street
- Boetselaar Battery (1793- ) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
- Zoutman Battery (later Lower North Battery) (1793- ) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
- Klein Gibraltar (1794–1827) -- Hout BayHout BayHout Bay is the name of a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa with a mix of neighbourhoods from the very rich to the very poor. It lies in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula and is twenty kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town...
- Kyk in de Pot (1795- ) -- Table Bay (rebuilt as Fort Wynyard 1862)
British colonial period (1795-1910)
18th century- Craig's Tower (1795-?) -- near Salt River mouth
- York Blockhouse (later Queen's Blockhouse) (1795–1827) -- Devil's PeakDevil's Peak (Cape Town)Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town. When looking at Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or when looking at the standard picture postcard view of the mountain, the skyline is from left to right: the spire of Devil's Peak, the flat mesa of Table Mountain,...
- King's Blockhouse (1795–1827) -- Devil's PeakDevil's Peak (Cape Town)Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town. When looking at Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or when looking at the standard picture postcard view of the mountain, the skyline is from left to right: the spire of Devil's Peak, the flat mesa of Table Mountain,...
- Prince of Wales's Blockhouse (1795–1827) -- Devil's PeakDevil's Peak (Cape Town)Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town. When looking at Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or when looking at the standard picture postcard view of the mountain, the skyline is from left to right: the spire of Devil's Peak, the flat mesa of Table Mountain,...
- Martello Tower (born 1796) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
19th century
- Fort Wynyard (born 1862) -- Table Bay
- Craig's Battery (1880s-?) -- near Salt River mouth (replaced Craig's Tower)
- Green Point Battery (1880s-1907) -- Mouille Point beachfront
- Three Anchor Bay Battery (1880s-1920s) -- Three Anchor Bay beachfront
- Cemetery Battery (later Queen's Battery) (1889–1943) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
- Noah's Ark Battery (1890-1940s) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
- Sea Point Battery (1891–1928) -- present Sea Point Junior School site
- Lion Battery (born 1891) -- Signal HillSignal Hill-Places:in Canada * Signal Hill, Calgary, neighborhood and hill in Calgary, Alberta* Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, provincial electoral district for the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Canada...
- Upper North Battery (1895-?) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
20th century
- Scala Battery (1906–1947) -- Simon's TownSimon's TownSimon's Town , sometimes spelled Simonstown; is a town in South Africa, near Cape Town which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour...
Union/Republic of South Africa (1910- )
20th century- King George V Battery (1914–1928) -- Milnerton
- Duiker Battery (later Apostle Battery) (1940- ) -- LlandudnoLlandudno, Cape TownLlandudno is a residential suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula. There are no shops or commercial activities, and the suburb has some of the most expensive residential property in South Africa...
- Cornelia Battery (1940–1944) -- Robben Eiland
- Robben Eiland Battery (later De Waal Battery) (1941–1944) -- Robben Eiland
- Docks Battery (later Duncan Battery) (1940–1946) -- Table Bay
See also
- Castle of Good HopeCastle of Good HopeThe Castle of Good Hope is a star fort which was built on the original coastline of Table Bay and now, because of land reclamation, lies nearer to the Cape Town city centre in South Africa.-History:...
- Chavonnes Battery Museum
- Fort de Goede HoopFort de Goede HoopThe Fort de Goede Hoop was the first military building to be erected in what is now Cape Town. It was built in 1652, and was in use until 1674 when it was superseded by the Castle of Good Hope....
- Fortress Study Group: The Cape Town Guns
- Redout DuijnhoopRedout DuijnhoopThe Redoubt Duijnhoop was a square demi-bastioned clay and timber Redoubt built fort constructed at the mouth of the Salt River, leading into Table Bay, South Africa in January–February 1654. It formed part of the defences of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie 'VOC' replenishment station,...