Het Posthuys

About Het Posthuys

Muizenberg is a coastal suburb that is popular for its stunning beaches and laid-back ambience, but also for being the address of one of the country's oldest buildings, Het Posthuys, which translates to The Post House.

This building was constructed by the Dutch East India Company in the 1670's, making it the second oldest building in the Cape. Over the past centuries, it has been a toll house, police station, brothel, stables for the navy, a private home and an ale and eating house.

Today, however, Het Posthuys is part of the historic mile of the coastline of False Bay and provides incredible insights into the Cape of yesteryear. The museum has a small photographic exhibit to showcase the remnants of the area and to provide a sneak peek into what Muizenberg looked like before it was occupied by modern society.

There is the small stone cottage as well as outbuildings, in which the horses were once stabled. In addition, the museum has a two-stuiwer coin, which was minted in Holland in 1680, and a flintlock musket. Both of these treasures were discovered when the area was being excavated by archaeologists. Such valuable finds only add to the value and charm of the museum.

Thanks to its being only 20 minutes' drive from the City Bowl of Cape Town, Het Posthuys is close to a number of world-renowned tourist attractions; including Table Mountain, Long Street, the V&A Waterfront and the Robben Island Museum.