Cultural sightseeing in South Africa

Multicultural and diverse South Africa is a country with a rich history, about which many of its museums and historical monuments tell. District Six Museum in Cape Town is one of the most important museums in the republic. Photos, videos, household items presented here reflect the tragic history of the apartheid. In the 60s-70s, inhabitants of District Six - liberated slaves, workers, and immigrants living on the outskirts of Cape Town - were forcibly evicted. About 60 thousand people were expelled from their homes, which later were demolished. Here there is a large map of the district and interiors reconstructions. Many of the museum employees were victims of the apartheid themselves.

In Pretoria, you will find the African Window Cultural History Museum containing historical documents, ancient and modern works of art, audio and video materials, rock engraving, national clothes of different cultures, archaeological finds of the Stone and Iron Ages. Here you can learn a lot about the history and modern culture of South Africa. The museum specializes in historical and contemporary art & culture exhibitions. The museum shop sells objects of African art. The South African Air Force Museum in Pretoria would be of great interest to those interested in military history and all aircraft enthusiasts. The museum presents a collection of aircraft from the 1930s to our days. Besides that, the collection includes documents and video recordings. The museum has branches in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Robben Island located in Table Bay shows the terrible history of the apartheid. Here, Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades in a small cell. There were a lot of other dissidents besides him in the prison. Now it is a historical monument where guided tours are held - half an hour by boat to the island and about 4 hours on the site. Some of the guides are former prisoners. There are half-hour tours of the prison, including Mandela’s cell. The island's museum is full of photographs, videos, prisoners' belongings. Those who find the history of the island too bleak can watch penguins, seals, deer and other animals inhabiting the island instead of walking through the prison. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Owl House is an amazing museum in New Bethesda highly appreciated by fans of everything unusual. This is the home of Helen Martins who turned it from an ordinary house into a charming little fairy-tale world with brightly painted walls, decorated mirrors, and statues of concrete and glass. The Camel Yard where an arch with concrete owls leads was filled with sculptures of various creatures, including mermaids and camels. This is a unique opportunity to explore the exciting world of the lonely creative person.

Coedmore Castle in Durban is a beautiful stone castle built in 1885 that has been home to 4 generations of the Stainbank family. Furniture of the late 19th century and family portraits have been preserved in the castle. Guided tours and wedding ceremonies are organized in the castle. Zebras and antelopes frolic among green trees surrounding the building. This place must be visited by all those not indifferent to the private life of people who lived in the past centuries. Connoisseurs of wine and history are encouraged to visit the three-hundred-year-old wine estate "Meerendal" in Durbanville. Here you can dine and enjoy wine, the friendly staff knows the details about each variety of wine, there is also an art gallery here. Be sure to try South African Pinotage wine.

In the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria, you will find life-size statues of historical figures. These are bronze statues of fighters against apartheid, heroes and heroines who fought for the people's freedom. About a hundred statues frozen in motion celebrate the rights and power of man. The statues became open to the public in 2015, and since then many new ones have been added to the already installed figures. This place gives hope for a bright future not only to South Africans but all who have seen the proud figures with their own eyes.