Constitution hill tells the story of south africas turbulent history and its. This place bears a museum that depicts south africas struggling journey to democracy. To visit, you can book one of their many tours or choose to wander the space yourself with an accompanying guide app you can download. The apartheid museum is as interesting, and as good, as the guide books say it is. If you hear strange sounds while visiting constitution hill, the robben island of johannesburg, a prison that has had both nelson mandela and mahatma gandhi as inmates, do not panic. The south african book fair takes place from september 6 to 8 2019 at constitution hill, johannesburg. Visiting constitution hill in johannesburg, south africa. Take a tour of constitution hill human rights precinct, a hilltop precinct that overlooks the downtown area and serves as the home of the constitutional court of south africa.
Mar 22, 2014 constitution hill is a strategic site because its position on a ridge occupies the topographical sign of continuing class and race divisions of johannesburg society. Constitution hill, johannesburg wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Constitution hill is a living museum that tells the story of south africas. The constitutional hill has remarkable history about south africa law. The womens jail has a part of it being used as offices and a kind female working there told us where we could go around to see the past. Constitution hill, johannesburg wikipedia republished. Take in the views from the top of africa, learn about the citys history as you visit constitutional hill and the apartheid museum, then follow in the footsteps of nelson mandela in soweto, with a tour of the nelson mandela house, hector pieterson museum, and freedom square. The constitution hill precinct is located at 11 kotze street in braamfontein, johannesburg near the western end of the suburb of hillbrow. It documents the struggle of the south african people to overcome apartheid. Constitution hill human rights precinct, johannesburg. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to south africas turbulent past and, today, is home to the countrys constitutional court, which endorses the rights of all citizens there is perhaps no other site of incarceration in south africa that imprisoned the sheer.
Part of the gold reef city entertainment complex, the museum offers an emotional insight into the period of statesanctioned racism and segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994. Constitution hill to reverberate with controversial topics at. Constitution hill human rights precinct johannesburg. Constitution hill is a living museum that tells the story of south africas journey to democracy. A political history of constitution hill since 1983. A must visit in johannesburg to learn more about the modern history of south africa and how it moves to democracy. You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighborhood has to offer. Built in the late 19th century by boer settlers, the complex was used as a prison until 1987prominent figures like nelson. Situated on a hill, one can enjoy the magnificent view over johannesburg city and the surrounding suburbs, whilst pondering the history of our freedom. This was the first fullsized planetarium in africa. Host your event at constitution hill constitution hill.
Oct 29, 20 find us at constitution hill situated on a hill overlooking the city of joburg, constitution hill consists of a womens jail, old fort. At constitution hill you can also join the city sightseeing bus green route tour which travels to rosebank via joburg zoo, zoo lake and the ditsong museum of military history. The history of constitution hill constitution hill. The tickets for constitution hill can be collected directly. Constitution hill human rights precinct johannesburg 2020 all. Constitution hill, overlooking the city of johannesburg, is more than just the site of south africas constitutional court the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Subsequently it was used as a notorious prison where many of the inmates were arrested for offences like contravening pass laws and the group areas act although there were also common criminals amongst them. Jul 26, 2019 constitution hill to reverberate with controversial topics at 2019 south african book fair. The constitution hill at joburg, south africa has quite a few places that one can visit the constitutional court, the old fort, the womens jail, the mens jail or what they call number 4. Constitution hill sightseeing johannesburg in your pocket.
Please consult government travel advisories before booking. Constitution hill, johannesburg overview located in the northern johannesburg, constitution hill aptly describes south africas transformation to democracy. Constitution hill tells the fascinating, often tragic, story of the real south african history. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title constitution hill.
Constitution hill human rights precinct johannesburg all. Featuring an expansive lush garden, the hotel offers a restaurant, fitness centre. Constitution hill is a former prison complex that bears testament to south africas turbulent past and is today a museum and home to the the countrys constitutional court. Information from its description page there is shown below. Overlooking joburgs inner city and suburbs, constitution hill houses the constitutional court, set up in 1994 with the birth of democracy, as well as the austere old fort prison complex also. Along with bearing a testament to the countrys past, constitution hill johannesburg also. Situated in the heart of johannesburg, constitution hill is a living museum that tells the story of south africas transition from colonialism and apartheid to democracy, with all the pain, pathos and catharsis that such a journey entails. The headquarters of south africas constitution court, constitution hill was a former fort and a prison before being transformed into an important judicial seat. However, this is also a story of victory, as south africa won back its freedom and now protects the rights and dignity of each citizen. How to book for the art and justice tour of the constitutional court bookings are essential for the monthly tour, which takes place from 9. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the. Amid this tumultuous history, heroes rose and helped pave the way for peace and reconciliation. Constitutional hill and apartheid museum tour from johannesburg. It is an unmissable attraction for visitors to the city.
A visit to constitution hill in johannesburg in africa. We welcome group bookings, whether its a large gathering with friends and family, a corporate teambuilding event or an organised tour group. At constitution hill in johannesburg, the citys harrowing past is relayed in great. The childrens room book your school visit preparing for your school visit. Constitution hill, johannesburg, southafrica constitution. Constitution hill, the headquarters of south africas constitution court, constitution hill was a former fort and a prison before being transformed into an important judicial seat. If youre looking for things to do in the area, you might like to visit nelson mandela square and montecasino. History of medicine, brainchild of dr cyril adler, was formally inaugurated 1962. You will get to learn about the injustices of south africas pas while observing the process by which freedom was won and is now protected. Constitution hill, johannesburg ticket price timings. Constitution hill is a precinct in johannesburg that embodies a.
From the ramparts of the old fort you look down into the neighborhood and see right into its mass of humanity. A pass book or dompass, exhibited as an artefact of apartheid at the womens gaol. The museum reminds all of us that our active participation is required in order for democracy to adequately function, much less flourish, and the exhibits at constitution hill encourage their viewers to grapple with notions of justice, freedom, and. Constitution hill tells the story of south africas turbulent history and its extraordinary transition to democracy. The buildings of constitution hill in braamfontein reveal the horrors of some of the darkest hours of 20th century south africa, while also. Constitution hill is almost as old as the city of johannesburg, and the story behind its historic museums is outlined in the pages on the old fort, the womens jail. We were shown to a screening room where an orientation video introducing constitution hill and its history was on replay. The precinct, known as constitution hill, was once the site of the citys fort and, later, a prison complex that held, at different times, many political prisoners, from gandhi and mandela to mandelas former wife, winnie madikizelamandela.
In the area of johannesburg called braamfontein, constitution hill contains a collection of modern and historical buildings. They have a collection of different forms of money used in south africa dating back to 4500 years ago 2. Embark on this history filled tour from your johannesburg hotel and get ready to understand the real history of south africa in six hours. Nobel peace prize awardee nelson mandela is easily the most recognizable name from this era. Tickets and bookings constitution hill, johannesburg. Get introduced to the highlights of johannesburg with a hopon hopoff tour on a doubledecker bus.
Constitution hill, johannesburg wikipedia republished wiki 2. Constitution hill, johannesburg times of india travel. The constitution hill lives as the witness of the turbulent and struggling past of south africa. Constitution hill a living museum in the heart of johannesburg, constitution hill was built on the 100acre site of a centuryold prison complex, where the leaders of every major south african liberation groupfrom nelson mandela to mahatma gandhiwere once detained. Jul, 2015 if you have the opportunity to visit johannesburg, you should not miss constitution hill. Constitution hill in johannesburg constitution hill. Constitution hill in johannesburg razor wire women. Johannesburg, soweto and apartheid museum guided day tour. Way is a leading online reservations leader, offering a fast and convenient way to book parking at airports, dining, activities, event, activities and movie tickets. At constitution hill in johannesburg, the harrowing past is relayed in great detail, but ultimately instils triumphant hope and inspiration. Though the entrance constitution hill ticket prices are deemed to quite reasonable, it will be wise to check website for the. The tour commences at the main entrance of the constitutional court, constitution hill, braamfontein.
The sight is an abode to constitution court, womens prison, old. Private johannesburg, soweto and apartheid museum guided. Now, constitution hill is a museum with shops and restaurants, and is also home to several human rights and entrepreneurship organizations. About constitution hill constitution hill is a living museum that tells the story of south africas journey to democracy. The museums role was to collect and preserve for posterity all material that would illustrate the history of medicine in general and of south africa in particular. Though the entrance constitution hill ticket prices are deemed to quite reasonable, it will be wise to check website for the timings and constitution hill ticket costs before visits. Along with bearing a testament to the countrys past, constitution hill johannesburg also stands as the home to south africas present constitution court. Host your event at constitution hill there is perhaps no area in johannesburg that offers the variety of venues as those offered by constitution hill.
Constitution hill is the seat of the constitutional court of south africa. As with any history, it lingers like a bad odour, the stench of it hitting one full in the face from damp alleys and around corners. See the citys main attractions such as ghandi square, the apartheid museum and constitution hill from the top of an openair bus or by exploring from any of the dozen stops on the bus route. It is advised to visit early to get constitution hill tickets to avoid unnecessary crowd. Constitution hill is almost as old as the city of johannesburg, and the story behind its historic museums is outlined in the pages on the old fort, the womens jail and number four. Since 2001, the apartheid museum in johannesburg has been the worlds leading authority on the events of the 20th century in south africa. Johannesburg fort and constitutional hill, braamfontein. Get to know south africas biggest city on a fullday tour that covers all the highlights of johannesburg and soweto. Ours is a precinct premised on unusual spaces, from small former cells where bars yet remain on the windows, to large open areas with the capacity to accommodate hundreds of people. Visitors are advised to book a tour in advance to fully understand and. Learn about the history of south african money at the absa money museum. Constitution hill is almost as old as the city of johannesburg, and the story behind its historic museums is outlined in the pages on. I visited constitutional hill in johannesburg sometime in july 2017.
Looking for hotels near constitution hill, johannesburg. There is guided tour which explained in details different part of constitution hill, including the fort how white and nonwhite prisons entered into the prison, constitutional court and the dark history of lives in the cells. Constitution hill johannesburg, south africa youtube. Tickets for constitution hill are available on webtickets or on arrival at the visitor centre. Constitution hill human rights precinct johannesburg 2020. The constitutional court features powerful symbolism and an extensive art collection. Book your tickets online for constitution hill human rights precinct, johannesburg. From constitution hill to carlton centre johannesburg.
Constitution hill, johannesburg wikimili, the free. Destination johannesburg constitution hill saxon hotel, luxury. A number of excellent exhibitions and guided tours have been designed as an interactive experience and a full calendar of public programs, temporary and permanent exhibitions bring the site to life. Destination johannesburg constitution hill saxon hotel. Visit the vestiges of colonial south africa on constitution hill before heading up to the top floor of the citys tallest building for a breathtaking 360. Constitution hill represents south africas dark past and its bright postapartheid. The highest court in the land, south africas constitutional court is a deeply symbolic and significant site. Constitution hill, johannesburg wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikimili, the free encyclopedia. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to south africas turbulent past and, today, is home to the countrys constitutional court, which endorses the rights of all citizens. The old fort prison complex is known as number four. Constitution hill is one of johannesburgs major historical tourist attractions.
Fort and number four prison, which are prime attractions for all the tourists. Constitution hill tells the fascinating, often tragic, story of the real south african. These men included historical icons like nelson mandela, mahatma gandhi. The hill was formerly the site of a fort which was later used as a prison. Johannesburg is the urban epicentre of gauteng, and has played a major role.