The Fairest Cape

The LandingLeft: "The Landing of Jan van Riebeeck". Painting by Charles Bell (South African Library)

In 1580, Sir Francis Drake completed his circumnavigation of the globe, during which he rounded the Cape and wrote of the "fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the world". The view of the Cape that has greeted mariners over the centuries is still the most magnificent landmark in the world: Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and just behind the mountain, overlooking Camps Bay and the Atlantic, the series of buttresses known as the Twelve Apostles.

sanUp to the period when the first Portuguese mariners arrived, the Cape was inhabited by the Khoikhoi and Sonqua (San).

The Dutch East India Company appointed Jan van Riebeeck to establish a refreshment station at the Cape. He arrived in 1652 and work commenced on the Fort and Gardens.

Brief History of Camps Bay

The Dutch explored the area behind Table Mountain but the line of breakers made it inaccessible for shipping and the rough terrain held little attraction for the early farmers. The land was eventually granted to John Wernich, who built a farm house and named it Ravensteyn. The old Wernich farmstead would later became the holiday home of several British governors, including Lord Charles Somerset.

After Wernich's death, his wife married Fredrik Von Kamptz. Von Kamptz, the new owner of Ravensteyn, constructed a track along the coast line from Camps Bay to Cape Town. Camps Bay became famous as an extremely beautiful area and was a popular spot for the Governors, Chief Justices and their visitors. The narrow, dangerous track was replaced by Kloof Road in 1848.

Camps Bay Today

Twelve ApostlesCamps Bay today, is a world-class holiday destination. Restaurants, cafes, hotels and the Theatre on the Bay draw visitors from all over the world. The beachfront is also Cape Town's first beach to attain the International Blue Flag Status. Nestled between the majestic Twelve Apostles and Lions Head, the palm-fringed bay is the ultimate in scenic attractions. See Things to Do for more information about recreational activities and places to visit in and about Cape Town.