Old Fort Prison Complex

One of the attractions in the Constitution Hill area of Johannesburg is the Old Fort Prison Complex, which date from the late 19th century. The prison buildings were built by the Boers (Afrikaans speakers) starting in 1896 as the place to put any British invaders who were captured. During the Second Boer War, the tables were turned when the British took over the Old Fort and used the prison to hold (and execute) captive Boers.
Later, during apartheid, the main part of the Old Fort was a “whites-only” prison. An exception was made for Nelson Mandela, who was held here briefly in 1962 before his Rivonia Trial. Gandhi was also among those held in another part of the prison complex.

Practical Info

Constitution Hill is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, and weekends and most public holidays from 10am-3pm. Tours are available every hour on the hour (the last tour on Wednesdays is at 1pm). Admission is SAR50 for adults; SAR20 for students and children; SAR25 for seniors.