Noon Gun
Military Road, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001
Six days a week, at precisely 12pm, the roar of blasting gunpowder echoes across Cape Town from Signal Hill. The firing of the Noon Gun, one of a pair of 18th-century cannons, has been a Cape Town tradition since British colonists instituted it in 1806—though it was only in 1902 that the guns took up their present position at Lion Battery.
The basics
The Noon Gun tradition began as a way for the British navy to ensure that the inaccurate timepieces on their ships were consistent. Today, the bang occurs with fine-tuned precision: The South African Astronomical Observatory sends a burst of energy down the line a few milliseconds before noon, which sparks the gunpowder. The second gun is kept in reserve in case the first fails to fire; neither contain cannonballs for safety reasons.
The guns themselves are off-limits to visitors, but a South African naval officer prepares the Noon Gun for firing every day and gives a short presentation about the history, too. A few Cape Town city tours and Signal Hill tours stop at the Noon Gun, and you can also visit independently.
Things to know before you go
The Noon Gun will appeal to those interested in history and the military.
Bring ear protection, especially if you have kids in tow. While the guns are more than 200 years old, they still pack a punch.
Allow time in your schedule for taking photos from the top of the hill.
How to get there
The Noon Gun is fired from the Lion Battery on Signal Hill, a 1,150-foot (350-meter) peak above Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap neighborhood. It’s a little under a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) uphill walk from Wale Street, known for its colored houses and the Bo-Kaap Museum. Drivers can park at the top of Signal Hill and walk about 0.5 miles (800 meters) east to Lion Battery; taxis or rideshares can drop you right by the guns.
When to get there
Since you can’t enter the precinct where the guns are held, the only time worth visiting the Noon Gun is shortly before it marks the hour, so arriving around 11:30am is a good idea. Presentations start at 11.45am, Monday through Saturday (excluding public holidays).
Cape Town for military buffs
Fans of military history have a number of options around Cape Town. The South African Naval Museum in Simon’s Town explains the history of the country’s marine forces, with a life-size submarine control room, plus guns and torpedoes; it will soon host the SAS Assegaai submarine. The 17th-century Castle of Good Hope is home to a military museum, and for more of an adventure, scuba divers can experience the wreck of the SAS Pietermaritzburg minesweeper off Miller’s Point.
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