Slave Lodge Museum
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The Iziko Slave Lodge Museum is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, and is located in one of the city’s most famous enclaves. The Slave Lodge is a striking building shrouded in dramatic history, and its location at the entrance of the Company Gardens – at the bottom of bustling Adderley Streets – sets it in the heart of the scenic cathedral precinct.
The Slave Lodge was built in 1679, and initially served to house the slaves of the Dutch East India Company. The harsh treatment of those enslaved, and the isolated they experienced, has lent the building a decidedly eerie air, which, even today, can be felt throughout the passages and dungeons of the lodge.
From Slave Lodge to Cultural History Museum
During the 19th century, the Slave Lodge was turned into a governmental building, and later, into a supreme court. Finally, it was converted into Cape Town’s Cultural History Museum. Like many other museums and monuments in Cape Town, the Slave Lodge exists to educate, enlighten and inform its visitors about South Africa’s difficult history.
Today, the Slave Lodge is a permanent museum of slavery, highlighting the dangers of human rights abuse. Iziko Museums of Cape Town is working hard to transform the lodge from “a place of human wrongs to a place of human rights”.
Worthwhile Cape Town travel experiences
Cape Town is renowned for its recreational offerings, which are enjoyed by travellers from all over the world. However, it’s a good idea to visit some of its cultural and historic monuments, such as the Slave Lodge, to gain a deeper understanding of this richly cosmopolitan city. Visit the Slave Lodge, as well as other leading Cape Town attractions, during your stay.
