For centuries, the Castle of Good Hope has stood over Cape Town as a reminder of the city’s layered past.
Built by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679, the star-shaped fortress is South Africa’s oldest surviving colonial building, a place where military history, cultural memory, and national identity collide.
Now, the famous landmark is undergoing long-awaited restoration aimed at reviving its status as a premier heritage site.
Castle of Good Hope gets a revamp
According to reports, in recent years, the Castle has struggled to live up to its stature. Peeling paint, overgrown gardens, and outdated facilities left visitors questioning whether one of the country’s most iconic heritage sites was fading into neglect.
Even the art gallery and restaurant, meant to showcase culture and hospitality, have shown signs of wear: damp smells, cracked walls, and ageing infrastructure.
But now, change is underway. A state-backed restoration programme promises to return the Cape Town Castle to its former dignity and make it a destination worthy of its historic weight.
What’s being restored?
Castle of Good Hope CEO Calvyn Gilfellen detailed the upgrades already in motion:
- A new perimeter fence will replace the old boundary where the homeless once sheltered.
- Security cameras are being restored.
- Plumbing teams are repairing the ageing water lines.
- Roofs in the back courtyard have been waterproofed, with the rest scheduled soon.
- Broken window panes are being replaced alongside fresh coats of paint.
- Vegetation growth around the bastions has been cleared.
- The Castle of Good Hope’s signature yellow walls are next, with repairs planned for the cracked façade near the Kat Balcony.
Restoring a 369-year-old monument comes with its own complications, Gilfellen cautioned.
“Most of the work can only proceed when the wet weather is completely behind us,” Gilfellen said.
“And, being a 369-year-old building, normal, modern building techniques and protocols do not apply here – often leading to time lags and delays.” he added.
Still, he remains upbeat.
“However, I am happy that, given the massive development priorities and limited budgets, the state is serious about the preservation and conservation of this building.” Gilfellen also stated.
If the restoration delivers as promised, the Castle of Good Hope may once again stand not just as a relic of the past but as a living landmark for the future.
