What is Robben Island famous for?
Robben Island is best known for being the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year sentence. During his imprisonment, he became a symbol of the struggle against South Africa’s apartheid system and an inspiration to people around the world. Robben Island was also used as a leper colony, a military base, and World War II observation post.
The island is also home to a number of Dutch- and Portuguese-era fortifications, gravesites, and other historical sites that are open to visitors. Today, Robben Island has become a symbol of reconciliation and hope for the future. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for its powerful testimony to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It is a place of remembrance and learning, where people can reflect on the island’s history and promote understanding among different cultures.
The Robben Island Museum was established in 1997 to preserve and tell the story of this powerful symbol of freedom and justice. Visitors can take guided tours around the Island, visit the Maximum Security Prison, and hear stories from former political prisoners.
Robben Island is also an important bird sanctuary and refuge for rare species such as the African Penguin. The island’s rich marine life can be seen in its surrounding waters, which are home to several species of dolphins, whales, and other aquatic creatures. Robben Island is a place of immense historical significance, and visitors can learn about the incredible story of struggle and resilience that is associated with it.
Today, Robben Island serves as an important reminder of South Africa’s past and continues to inspire people around the world.
Robben Island Tour
The ferries from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront arrive at Murray’s Bay Harbour on the east coast of Robben Island. Tourists will then take a short walk to buses that transport them and a group of people to all historical sites around the Island. Buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s can be seen on the walk to the buses. This was where family and lawyers would come for visits with prisoners.
A Robben Island Tour Guide will conduct the prison tour, providing detailed knowledge on the 500-year-old history of the island. The tour route includes the graveyard of those who died from leprosy, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Lime Quarry, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison. This is where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour concludes with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.
Can You Visit The Penguins On Boulders Beach?
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Can you visit the Penguins on Boulders Beach?
Yes, you can indeed visit the penguins on Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach is open to the public and a great beach to visit with children. Please however be respectful towards the penguins.