From the slopes of Signal Hill, a boom echoes across Cape Town. This is the Noon Gun, a tradition dating back to 1806. The Noon Gun isn’t just a loud bang. It’s a piece of living history, the oldest guns in daily use worldwide. Maintained by the South African Navy, the Noon Gun sits at the Lion Battery. Originally, the cannons announced ships arriving in the harbor. As harbor traffic grew, complaints about the noise led to the guns’ relocation to Signal Hill in 1902. The Noon Gun now signals noon precisely every day except Sundays and public holidays. There are two cannons. One fires, while the other serves as a backup. These 18-pound, smoothbore muzzle-loaders were designed by Captain Thomas Blomfield in 1786. They were cast by Walker & Co. in 1794 and proof-fired at Woolwich. The Royal Navy adopted these as their standard gun. The guns were brought to Cape Town during the British occupation of 1795. The Noon Gun’s firing is now triggered by an electronic signal. This signal comes from the South African Astronomical Observatory’s atomic clock, ensuring millisecond accuracy. If you’re in Cape Town near noon, visit the Noon Gun. Free presentations are given as the gun is loaded. Just remember to protect your ears from the blast.
Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium
Ready to witness a Cape Town landmark that has seen both soccer and hockey glory? This is Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium.