Robben Island Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
island in Table Bay, South Africa
About Robben Island
The island was discovered by Europeans in 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias reached Table Bay. Soon afterward it was put to use as a prison by thePortuguese,BritishandDutch. From 1652 the island also served as a refreshment station for ships that did not wish to visit the mainland. In 1658 the island saw its first political prisoner, Autshumato, who was repossessing livestock that was stolen by the new European settlers. He was tried and imprisoned on the island. Later the same century a number of people resisting Dutch rule over the East Indies were also shipped toCape Townand incarcerated on the island. When the British took control of the Cape in 1795 they continued to use the island as a prison and from the middle of the 18th century also used it as an asylum. In 1890 a leprosy colony was es
Robben Island Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 6 sections including: