If you enjoy walking, you will find Cape Town to be a delight. Gorgeous weather for most of the year, and a spectacular geographic location that makes it the envy of other cities, combined with colourful neighbourhoods make it a great city to explore on foot. A group tour with a knowledgeable tour leader is the best way to go. The Art and Architecture Walk covers about two kilometers and takes a minimum of two hours.
Starting Point: Cape Town Train Station
You start this walk at the train station, which was built in the 1960s. From here you get a good view of the Collosseum Building. This pale green and cream coloured structure with the dramatic "Aztec style" mouldings was designed by W.H. Grant, one of Cape Town's leading Art Deco architects. Head over to the pedestrian only St. George's Mall to see Brett Murray's controversial bronze statue, "Africa", which was unveiled in 2000. On Burg St. you can see New Zealand House, a Cape Mediterranean style building that was also designed by W.H. Grant. From here, move on to see the elegant Hardware House and the elaborate pink, grey and cream coloured Namaqua House.
Cobblestones and Painted Ostrich Eggs
One of the best sites on this walk is Greenmarket Square. This historic, cobblestoned site is the location of one of Cape Town's best craft and souvenir markets, where you can buy everything from African wood carvings to beautifully painted ostrich eggs. In colonial times Greenmarket Square was a farmer's market. Its oldest building is the Old Townhouse, which dates back to 1761 and is now the home of the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces. Most of the other buildings around the square date from the 1930s, when Art Deco was all the rage in Cape Town. Kimberley House is made from sandstone, and has an appealing diamond-theme design. Market House, with its fa?ade of stone-carved eagles and floral designs is the most elaborate of all the buildings here. Next to Market House is the 1928 Protea Insurance Building, whose dazzling white exterior makes it a standout. Opposite is the Shell House, a hotel and restaurant that was once the South African headquarters of the Shell Oil Company.
Best Collection of Contemporary Art
The Waalburg Building at the corner of Burg and Wale streets is notable for its fa?ade of panels depicting scenes of South African life. On the other corner of Burg St., the Rhodes Mandela complex is one of the most compelling features of Cape Town's new-look downtown City Bowl. Across Wale St. is the Western Cape Legislature. Its grey mass is enlivened by detailed, stone-carved animal heads. Nearby is the entrance to the Company's Gardens. This is the location of South Africa's National Gallery, which has the country's best collection of contemporary art. Go to the Queen Victoria St. side of the gardens to see Holyrood. This apartment block, which is reminiscent of a vacuum cleaner, is one of Cape Town's favourite Art Deco structures. At the junction of St. George's Mall and Shortmarket St. you can see the prize-winning sculpture "Come to Pass" by Fritha Langerman and Katherine Bull. As you approach the walk's end point at Church Square, don't miss the stately Edwardian Standard Bank.
Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury South Africa holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Hill
No comments:
Post a Comment