Marking the dual celebrations of Heritage Month and Tourism Month, the Castle of Good Hope has unveiled a dynamic 2026 festival programme aimed at opening the fortress as a platform for dialogue, education, and reconciliation.
Aligning with this year’s themes—“Reimagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era” and “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”—the Castle of Good Hope is addressing the historic challenges of carrying a 17th-century site into a modern era.
“As the oldest surviving symbol of armed colonial conquest, slavery, and apartheid, the Castle has, over the past decade, undergone profound transformation and re-imagination,” said Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of the Castle Control Board. “Through both tangible and intangible heritage interventions, we are now welcoming a far more diverse and inclusive visitor profile than ever before,” he added.
Addressing the digital mandates of Tourism Month, Gilfellan noted that while technological progress at the heritage site has faced delays, key infrastructure leaps are officially underwayThe deployment of a dedicated high-speed fibre line and on-site digital cameras will soon power immersive digital experiences for visitors on-site and worldwide. “These innovations will soon enable a richer, more immersive digital experience—both within the Castle walls and far beyond them,” Gilfellan said.
Digital plans for the Castle
A cornerstone of this year’s celebrations is the unveiling of a historic painting of Khoi Princess Krotoa by Castle Artist Lizelle Kruger, a work completed after more than nine years of dedication.
The programme at the Castle features a range of cultural, photographic, and commemorative events open to the public:
Cape Town Photography Festival August 1 – September 28, 2026 (all day)
WHERE: Stables
Krotoa Painting Unveiling & Indigenous Cultural Festival – September 24, 2026 (10:00 – 13:00)
WHERE: Castle Chapel
Battle of Square Hill Remembrance Commemoration – September 27, 2026 (09:00 – 14:00)
WHERE: Front Courtyard
The Castle of Good Hope is also the home of the WILLIAM FEHR COLLECTION, an invaluable heritage treasure!
WHAT: Heritage Month at Castle of Good Hope
WHERE: Castle of Good Hope, Darling Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Daily 09:00 to 16:00
INFO: VISIT
Castle of Good Hope – William Fehr Collection [G]
The WHAT, WHY & WHERE of the
arts scene in around Cape Town
see the 2026 art craft + museums map
and listen in to the
Arts Round Up Fridays @17:30
on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm
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Another reason Cape Town is placed 3rd in Time Out’s World’s Best Cities for Culture!
