Simon's Town Photos - Cape Town Photos | South Africa

Simon's Town

Simon's Town is only an hour's train ride from Cape Town. Simon's Town is the southernmost point on the Cape and is connected to the Cape Town metro network, so you also have the option of taking the metro here.

The train ride along the coast with its spectacular views from Muizenberg is highly recommended. The sheltered location prompted the Dutch East Indian Company to establish a harbor here in 1687, which it named after the former governor Simon van der Stel. The "settlement" around it was the third European town in the country. The anchorage was used particularly in the winter months, when the strong "Northeastern" winds caused serious problems for ships in Cape Town harbor. In 1795, the British landed in Simonstad and began their takeover campaign from here. Simon's Town became a bridgehead for the British army, from where the victorious Battle of Muizenberg was organized.

The British left South Africa again in 1801, only to return completely in 1806. In 1807, when a ship with slaves was in port, the British government ordered their release, as slavery was banned by the British. The people then settled in Simon's Town, whose descendants were finally banished from the town in 1968-73 under the (White) Group Area Act.