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chavonnes cannon battery national heritage siteChavonnes Cannon Battery (Cape Town)

Overview of the Chavonnes Cannon battery

The Chavonnes Cannon Battery is the oldest major fortification in Cape Town except for the Castle of Good Hope. The Chavonnes Cannon Battery was build in a splay-legged "U" shape, and mounted with 16 great guns which between them had an arc of fire of nearly 180 degrees.

When the Alfred basin construction began, however, large parts of the cannon battery was demolished. Later, the rest of the battery disappeared under warehouses and factories.

In 1999, the Board of Executors had the battery scientifically excavated, and created a magnificent museum in the basement, preserving this important piece of early Cape history.

 

Review of the Chavonnes Cannon Battery

We accidentally stumbled upon the Chavonnes Cannon Battery museum, while waiting for our Robben Island tour to depart. What a nice surprise! The curator is a very informed and passionate man and we spent a while listening to him relate the history of the battery.

The self-guided tour through the museum is very well thought out. The walkways guides you past the different sections of the old battery and exhibitions. A lot of information is provided, and we left the battery with a lot of respect for the fortifications of the Cape.


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Tourist Information

Phone: 021 416 6230

Address

On the VA Waterfront, near the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

Website

http://www.chavonnesmuseum.co.za/




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