It was on the balcony of this landmark building where the late President Nelson Mandela made his famous speech when he was released from prison in 1990. It was built in 1905 amazingly out of limestone imported from England! It was also here where Queen Elizabeth II had her 21st birthday party when she was visiting Cape Town back in 1947!
The City Hall, home amongst other things of the Cape Town Philharmonic orchestra, looks out over the Grand Parade which on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, is abuzz with women dressmakers buying bolts of cloth, zips, buttons and accessories of all kinds from the market stalls. Also a great place to buy bargain clothes, second-hand or locally made.
The historic Grand Parade is bordered by the Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town Public Library and Cape Town Station. This is also a useful starting point to visit the Old Granary and the District Six Museum, in Buitekant Street.
Just up the road, off Adderley Street, find one of Cape Town’s most colourful locations, the flower market in Trafalgar Place next to the old Standard Bank. Here locals and lovers are able to brighten up their day or someone else’s with a bunch of fresh cut flowers. The sellers themselves, nearly all women, are known to drive a bit of a bargain, but they’re full of stories if you can stop for a chat. They are arguably the most photographed women in the City.
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