Cape Town Mapping Project

Robben Island

Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, in Cape Town. The term Robben Island is Dutch for “Seal Island”.  Towards the end of the 17th century, Robben Island had become a prison for political prisoners. One of the most famous prisoners, who was imprisoned here for 18 years, was South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela.

The island was also used as a Leper colony to quarantine people with leprosy, and as an animal quarantine station.  During World War II, the island was equipped with guns as a part of Cape Town’s defense system.