Cape Town presents an odd mix of historical buildings. They are the result of the city’s historical role as the halfway point on the maritime trade route between Western Europe and the Far East, and of colonisation by the Dutch and then the British. Cape Town’s hottest tourist attraction, the glitzy V&A Waterfront Complex, is a newcomer; a late 20th century mall built on the remnants of the Victorian era wharfs and an 18th century military installation, the Chavonnes Battery. The city has contemporary bungalows and high-rise office buildings, but visitors can also see Georgian mosques, Cape Dutch houses, Victorian terraces, and Moravian churches.

Cape Dutch Style

It is clear from its architecture that Cape Town is Africa’s least African city. From the time construction began on the Castle of Good Hope in the 17th century, the main influences on the city’s architecture have been European. The signature style that developed here is called Cape Dutch. In the Winelands outside Cape Town this style can be seen in the thatched and gabled manor houses. Within the city, some of the best examples of Cape Dutch architecture can be seen in the excellent Koopmans-De Wet House, and Rust-en-Vreugd in the city centre. Also look for it in the more modest terraces of the Bo-Kaap district.

Long Street Collage

Nowhere else in South Africa will you find the historic range and architectural variety that is found on the Cape Peninsula. Long Street, one of the most famous thoroughfares in Cape Town, is a case in point. Take a walk down this street and you will see a collage of architectural styles that show both Dutch and English influence. The 18th century Palm Tree Mosque stands next to three-storey Victorian buildings that now serve as low cost lodgings for backpackers. Near the harbour end of Long Street, visitors can see a splendid example of an early 19th century Dutch Mission Church, right next to an Art Noveau office building. Close by, the mid 18th century Baroque style Old Town House overlooks the same square as a group of Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s. Overlooking all of this are Cape Town’s modern skyscrapers. These are modest by North American standards, but they are nonetheless in contrast to what is generally associated with Africa.

Unique Suburban Flavours

The Cape Town suburbs that are nearest to the city centre, Woodstock, Observatory, Sea Point, and Green Point, were built in the 1880s and 1890s. Here visitors will find some unique suburban flavours. Although the architectural style is basically Victorian, there are local adaptations such as balconies and verandahs trimmed with intricate ironwork meant to protect the facades from the elements.

Two Different Faces

Cape Town has two seaboards, one on the Atlantic and the other on False Bay, an extension of the Indian Ocean. Architecturally, they present two very different faces. Along False Bay, you will find a mixture of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, such as Muizenberg’s Edwardian train station. Here you will also see quite a few 20th century houses clinging to the steep mountainside. Go on to Simon’s Town, and you will find a community with its colonial main street well preserved. On the Atlantic side of Cape Town you find communities that look more like they belong in California. Twentieth century houses that are little more than boxes-with-a-view share the shore with large, ostentatious status symbols. There is money here, to be sure, but the character is on the other shore.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town