Observatory, Cape Town
Encyclopedia
Observatory is a suburb in Cape Town
, South Africa
, bordered by Mowbray
to the south, and Salt River
to the north. The area is best known as student neighborhood, most of whom attend the University of Cape Town
located close by, and for being the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory
headquarters as well as Groote Schuur Hospital
.
Observatory traces its origins to the Koornhoop Colony land grant, in 1657. Officials from the Dutch East India Company
were given land in the Liesbeeck River valley, and Jan van Riebeek himself had a farm there, originally called Uitwyk, later Malta Farm.
The name is derived from the location of the first Royal Observatory in the area at 33°56′7.13"S 18°28′38.47"E in 1820. This original site serves as the headquarters of the South African Astronomical Observatory
, with an on-site museum exhibiting various historic instruments and telescopes.
During the years of apartheid, Observatory was one of the few de facto 'grey' suburbs where all races lived together. It continues to be a somewhat alternative
part of town, with 'New Age' style shops and a monthly 'Holistic Fair' at the Community Centre on the first Sunday of each month. It is served by Observatory railway station
on the Southern Line, with regular trains every 40 minutes or so, every hour on Sunday.
Observatory is the location for much of the short-term accommodation used by increasing numbers of overseas, particularly North American and European, students attending UCT.
graveyard.
Known locally as 'Obs', its proximity to the University of Cape Town
(UCT) and its Medical School in particular, have always made it popular with students and lecturers.
Observatory has many churches. The Anglican parish church of St Michael and All Angels, designed by Sir Herbert Baker
and the only one of his churches completed to his design, has a strong choral tradition.
Observatory has a soccer and hockey
stadium below the station, Hartleyvale, on Liesbeeck Parkway and an outdoor swimming pool that's very popular on summer afternoons - between the two there's a circus school. A driving range
and nine hole golf course is housed at the River Club. In November 2009 the Observatory Improvement District was launched to enhance the suburb with better security and cleansing. In 2010, walking and cycle paths were established on the western side of the Liesbeek River. There are two birdwatching hides on the river, one in the grounds of the South African Observatory, and one in the grounds of the River Club.
psychiatric hospital
, a Victorian building that has recently undergone extensive renovations. Valkenberg houses the mentally ill in secure accommodation as well as providing out patient care. Beyond Valkenberg is a small hotel, and the Wild Fig restaurant.
'Obs' also harbours the Groote Schuur Hospital
, where Professor Chris Barnard
performed the world's first heart transplant, on 3 December 1967. The hospital's emergency department is off the N2 motorway and, consequently, serves the crime-ridden and poor suburbs on the Cape Flats.
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...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, bordered by Mowbray
Mowbray, Cape Town
Mowbray 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...
to the south, and Salt River
Salt River, Cape Town
Salt River is a mainly industrial suburb of Cape Town located near Table Bay to the east of the city. It is named after a river of the same name, this being a continuation of the Black River. The name Salt River is a translation of the Dutch "Soutrivier"...
to the north. The area is best known as student neighborhood, most of whom attend the University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
located close by, and for being the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory is the national center for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It was established in 1972. The observatory is run by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The facility's function is to conduct research in astronomy and astrophysics...
headquarters as well as Groote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital is a large, government-funded, teaching hospital situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the city of Cape Town, South Africa...
.
Geography and history
Much of present-day Observatory was a marshy estuary formed by the rivers, with buffalo, hippo, elephant, zebra,jackals, antelope, lions and leopards once prevalent .Observatory traces its origins to the Koornhoop Colony land grant, in 1657. Officials from the Dutch East India Company
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
were given land in the Liesbeeck River valley, and Jan van Riebeek himself had a farm there, originally called Uitwyk, later Malta Farm.
The name is derived from the location of the first Royal Observatory in the area at 33°56′7.13"S 18°28′38.47"E in 1820. This original site serves as the headquarters of the South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory is the national center for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It was established in 1972. The observatory is run by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The facility's function is to conduct research in astronomy and astrophysics...
, with an on-site museum exhibiting various historic instruments and telescopes.
During the years of apartheid, Observatory was one of the few de facto 'grey' suburbs where all races lived together. It continues to be a somewhat alternative
Alternative culture
Alternative culture is a type of culture that exists outside or on the fringes of mainstream or popular culture, usually under the domain of one or more subcultures...
part of town, with 'New Age' style shops and a monthly 'Holistic Fair' at the Community Centre on the first Sunday of each month. It is served by Observatory railway station
Observatory railway station
Observatory railway station is a Metrorail station serving the suburb of Observatory in Cape Town. It is served by trains on the Southern Line.The station is located under the Station Road bridge...
on the Southern Line, with regular trains every 40 minutes or so, every hour on Sunday.
Observatory is the location for much of the short-term accommodation used by increasing numbers of overseas, particularly North American and European, students attending UCT.
Economy and popular culture
Observatory has long had a vibrant entertainment scene, perhaps as a result of its high proportion of students. There are numerous restaurants and bars, with a high turnover, but some long term stayers. Most restaurants and retail shops are located along Lower Main road. There is also a shopping complex in St. Peter's square, which is located opposite Groote SchuurGroote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital is a large, government-funded, teaching hospital situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the city of Cape Town, South Africa...
graveyard.
Known locally as 'Obs', its proximity to the University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
(UCT) and its Medical School in particular, have always made it popular with students and lecturers.
Observatory has many churches. The Anglican parish church of St Michael and All Angels, designed by Sir Herbert Baker
Herbert Baker
Sir Herbert Baker was a British architect.Baker was the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, 1892–1912....
and the only one of his churches completed to his design, has a strong choral tradition.
Observatory has a soccer and hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
stadium below the station, Hartleyvale, on Liesbeeck Parkway and an outdoor swimming pool that's very popular on summer afternoons - between the two there's a circus school. A driving range
Driving range
A driving range is an area where golfers can practice their swing. It can also be a recreational activity itself for amateur golfers or when enough time for a full game is not available. Many golf courses have a driving range attached and they are also found as stand-alone facilities, especially...
and nine hole golf course is housed at the River Club. In November 2009 the Observatory Improvement District was launched to enhance the suburb with better security and cleansing. In 2010, walking and cycle paths were established on the western side of the Liesbeek River. There are two birdwatching hides on the river, one in the grounds of the South African Observatory, and one in the grounds of the River Club.
Hospitals
Beyond the astronomical observatory is ValkenbergValkenberg Hospital
The Valkenberg Hospital is a large, government-funded, tertiary psychiatric hospital in the city of Cape Town, South Africa.It is situated in the suburb of Observatory between the banks of the Liesbeeck and Black Rivers, overlooking Devil's Peak in the distance...
psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
, a Victorian building that has recently undergone extensive renovations. Valkenberg houses the mentally ill in secure accommodation as well as providing out patient care. Beyond Valkenberg is a small hotel, and the Wild Fig restaurant.
'Obs' also harbours the Groote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital is a large, government-funded, teaching hospital situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the city of Cape Town, South Africa...
, where Professor Chris Barnard
Chris Barnard
Christopher Leslie Barnard was a Welsh professional footballer in the 1960s and 1970’s. He was born in Cardiff.Chris Barnard, a midfielder, began his career as an apprentice at Southend United, turning professional in August 1965 and playing 8 times in the league the following season...
performed the world's first heart transplant, on 3 December 1967. The hospital's emergency department is off the N2 motorway and, consequently, serves the crime-ridden and poor suburbs on the Cape Flats.