1. V & A WATERFRONT

This is not just a shopping mall - with best restaurants and activities on the waters edge, with many working and recreational boats in the quays, the atmosphere is unmatched. Oh, did I mention Table Mountain in the background? See the page ABOUT THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS in Cape Town during the holidays and weekends.

2. THE CLOCK TOWER

The clock tower is situated in the Vicotria and Alfred waterfront and is victorian-gothic in its style. It was built as the office for the port captain in the year 1882. In this picture it is painted yellow which was for the 2014 design Indaba held in Cape Town. Usually it is red - in fact the exact colour was carefully matched to samples remaining on the building from it orignal coat. The building was used by the Captain to overview the harbour and had a mechanism on the ground floor for measuring the tides. See CAPE DUTCH SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY for more for the history of Cape Dutch architecture.

3.THE TOWN HALL

Located in the heart of the CBD near the Cape Town castle and the Grande Parade, this genuine limestone building was constructed in the early 1900's and remains useful today as a public building. Vist this page on the website on the highlighted link GLITZYMAGAZINE for more great itineries and day trips.

4. GROOT CONSTANTIA

No list of architecture attractions in Cape Town would be complete without Groot Constantia - one of the most magnificent and beautifully preserved Cape Dutch style buildings in South Africa This significant Cape Dutch Style building stands on a wine farm just on the South Side of Table mountain. The roof burnt down and the house was restored to more than its former glory in 1925. The Neoclassical gable style was originally built by Simon van der Stel in about the year 1685. See THIS LINK TO BUILT ATTRACTIONS for a list of the top man-made sightseeing attractions to visit.

He lived in it while acting as one of the first governers of the new Cape Colony. Stellenbosch and Simonberg are both named after him. This manor home is a stones throw away from the city centre and can easily be viewed on the same day as the Botanical gardens or the Rhodes monument which are nearby on the Southern slopes of Table Mountain.

(See more house types in SA).

5. THE RHODES MEMORIAL

This style is loosely based on architecture from the town of Tuscany in Italy. The warm colours, red tiled pitch roof, and flexibility regarding columns, balconies and shutters make it an appealing domestic scale style.

The Rhodes Memorial is a combination of classical architecture consiting of two pediments supported by doric columns, and a stairway of 49 steps that is flanked by 8 lion statues. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker who designed numerous buildings for Cecial John Rhodes in whose honour the memorial is built. Rhodes was a Prime Minister of the Cape for six years from 1890 to 1896. He is a significant historical figure and founder of the De Beers mining company which played a big part in shaping South Africa's history - for better or for worse. Rhodes also had Groote Schuur Estate built as well as the Rhodes Cape Dutch house at Boschendal Farm - both buildings influenced or designed by Sir Herbert Baker. The memorial is an important tourist attraction, not only for its historical significance, but also for the panoramic views of the Hottentot's Holland Mountains, Cape Flats, and Groote Schuur itself. It is also one of the few locations where the Atlantic and Indian oceans are visible from the same vantage point. The horse sculpture is a dynamic and beautiful artpiece worth seeing in its own right. The memorial was completed in the year 1912 ten year after the end of Rhodes' life (born 1853, died 1902) View the site GLITZYMAGAZINE for beautiful pictures of Cape Dutch gardens.

6. KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Cape floral Kingdom is preserved in this magnificent park at the foothills of the leeward side of Table mountain. During summer, live concerts on the lawns bring everyone together to enjoy the beauty of this paradise.

7.THE HUGUENOT MONUMENT

Inaugurated in the year 1948 the monument was built with a musuem adjacent to it celebrating the lives of the French settlers who developed the Franschoek valley in the 1600's and 1700's after the initial Cape Colony was set up. The design by J.C Jongens in 1945 represents the trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit... represented by three beautiful equally tall arches. It is an important tourist attraction in the greater Cape Town area. Click on FRANSCHHOEK HISTORICAL BUILDING ITINERARY for a great list of historical attractions in Franschhoek and the Winelands.

8. CAPE POINT LIGHTHOUSE

In this example from Olive Edge Estate in Somerset West, large curved concrete structures frame the home. The contemporary gem contrasts with the rustic nature around it.

Go to GLITZYMAGAZINE for more gardens and parks in Cape Town.

9.THE COMPANY'S GARDEN

This beautiful park is located in the heart of the Cape Town CBD and also the historical core of the city, around which many of the buildings mentioned here can be seen, including the Parliament buildings, Tuynhuis, the Jewish museum, the Planetarium and the South African National Art Gallery. The sculpture shown here was unveiled in 1930 and commemorates soldiers who fought in Delville wood France and other battles of World War II. It features two male figures either side of a horse resting on eight classical style columns. Click on the link BEST ACTIVITIES IN CAPE TOWN for for a comprehensive list of things to do for the whole family especially on public holidays and weekends.

10. THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The original building was completed in 1884, various additions and alterations have been sensibly built on to it since then. It is a working government building in which parliamentary sessions are frequently held. The neoclassical style building features red bricks and white plaster panelling. It is located next to the company gardens.

Try click on GLITZYMAGAZINE for more photos of iconic landmarks in the Mother City.

11. THE JEWISH MUSUEM

Located in the Company gardens, the building is one of the numerous historical architecture attractions to see when visiting the gardens. During the year 2000 Nelson Mandela unveiled the musuem section that celebrates the lives and history of the Jewish people in South Africa. It is located in SA's first synogogue which was built in 1863.

MAP OF FRANSCHHOEK LANDMARKS

For more information on the nearby Winelands town of Franschhoek, click on the linlk to PAGE ON FRANSCHHOEK SIGHTSEEING ITINERARY which has a map and all the most important landmarks for tourists.
Stellenbosch to Franschhoek Itinerary.


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Click on CAPE TOWN SIGHTSEEING ITINERARY for more sightseeing tourist attractions in and around Cape Town.