Iziko Museums Slave Lodge

The Basics

Visitors to the museum learn about the slaving era and the routes that brought slaves to Cape Town through exhibits of period artifacts, audio-visual shows, maps, and other experiential displays such as a reconstruction of the cramped conditions of a slaving ship. A light-infused memorial lists names of known slaves who were held here. Traveling exhibits on global human rights issues are occasionally displayed. ; past exhibits have shined a spotlight on segregation in schools in the United States and the role of women during the South African apartheid.

Admission to the museum is included with the Cape Town City Pass. Private walking tours focused on Cape Town history also stop here.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Slave Lodge is a must-visit to understand the role slavery played in Cape Town history.

• The entrance fee is reduced for under-18s, students, and seniors.

• You can rent an audio guide for a nominal fee.

How to Get There

Iziko Museums Slave Lodge is in the heart of the city, within a short walking distance of many hotels and other attractions, including the District Six Museum and Bo-Kaap Museum. The closest train station is Monument Station, a 20-minute walk away. There is limited dedicated parking, but the building is accessible by taxi or via the Groote Kerk bus.

When to Get There

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. It is closed on Sunday, Workers’ Day (May 1), and Christmas Day. Weekdays can be busy if a school group is visiting.

Also on View

The building’s interior courtyard houses the tombstones of the city’s founder, Jan van Riebeeck, and his wife, Maria de la Queillerie; their tombstones were moved from Jakarta where Riebeeck died. The museum also has artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Far East on the first floor.