Muizenberg is one of Cape Town’s foremost tourist destinations, due to its upbeat ambience, beautiful beaches, eclectic stores and fascinating history. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the area is alluringly diverse, with a wonderful community feel and numerous amenities on offer.
If you’re looking for self-catering accommodation in Cape Town, then this is an ideal hot-spot to be based in. Located approximately 25 minutes away from the CBD, the area has an appealing beach-holiday atmosphere that makes staying here a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Your appreciation for the region will undoubtedly be enhanced if you have some conception of its past. Once used by the dynamic Khoi people as their pastoral home, the area was claimed by the Dutch East India Company as cattle farming land in 1670. In 1973, the region underwent a dramatic transformation and became a military outpost, under the command of Sergeant Wynand Muys, who christened it ‘Muysenburg,’ meaning ‘Muys’s stronghold.’
The Battle of Muizenberg occurred in 1793 between the British and the Dutch, who were competing for control over the Cape in order to retain their shipping routes. In September 1795, the British sent a force some 6000 men strong to the Cape and the Dutch were forced to surrender – Muysenburg became an English stronghold and its name was changed to Muizenberg.
While you are in Muizenberg, ensure that you visit Het Posthuys, which is arguably the earliest European building in the Cape, having been constructed in 1673. Surviving the Battle of Muizenberg, the building is remarkably well preserved today and is the perfect point of interest for those with an interest in historical architecture.
Muizenberg is also historically significant, because it was the home of Cecil John Rhodes. After Rhodes died on the 26th March 1902, his coffin was placed on a train from Muizenberg Station to Zimbabwe, where his body was laid to rest. History buffs should visit Rhodes Cottage, where intriguing selections of his personal artefacts are on display.
Self-catering in Cape Town is easy as the city boasts numerous shops and markets, including the renowned Muizenberg Market and Blue Bird Garage Market, which caters to Cape Town’s arty crowd, offering up a wide range of hand-crafted goods and artisan produce.
Source: http://www.capeletting.com/holidaying-in-st-james-and-muizenberg/
image source: http://kalkbay.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/st-james-pool-a.jpg
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