Het Posthuys - second oldest building in Cape Town
When asked which the oldest building in Cape Town is, most Capetonians will answer without hesitation, the Castle of Good Hope. However, asked which is the second oldest, many of them would be stumped.
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."
Marcus Garvey
The answer, most probably, is Het Posthuys, a humble building in Muizenberg, on the road to Kalk Bay. Today it is a museum, but has served many functions in its long history. Despite the name, it never served as a Post Office.
Built as a military post, it was originally a look-out across False Bay. Indications are that it seconded as a toll house to levy taxes on farmers taking their produce to ships harboured in Simon's Bay. It has served as a pub, hotel, brothel and more. So it certainly has, despite its modest size, a colourful history.
Built as a military post, it was originally a look-out across False Bay. Indications are that it seconded as a toll house to levy taxes on farmers taking their produce to ships harboured in Simon's Bay. It has served as a pub, hotel, brothel and more. So it certainly has, despite its modest size, a colourful history.
IMAGE CREDITS
- Nkansahrexford, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Nkansahrexford, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Nkansahrexford, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Nkansahrexford, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Michaelphoya, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Nkansahrexford, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
