The next place on my must visit list of Cape Town is one of Cape Town’s oldest markets, situated in Greenmarket Square. It is an open-air cobbled square in the centre of old Cape Town, South Africa. When I just moved to Cape town I would spend at least one morning a month here. I spent hours looking at the beautiful local art, crafts, fabrics and artefacts from almost every country on the African continent. The square is bordered by a selection of restaurants and cafés that provided ample opportunity to people-watch during the busy weekends. I have spent countless mornings here, just taking in the atmosphere while writing postcards or reading a book.
The square was originally built in 1696, and, whilst the square may originally have been for the wealthy and elite, today it is the stamping ground of people from all walks of life and a tribute to the vibrancy of Africa.
The square itself was originally used as a slave market and as a market for fruit and vegetables. During the apartheid era, Greenmarket Square was often the focus of political protests, due in part to its proximity to parliament, as well as the ethnicity of its traders and shoppers. Then after a period spent as a car park , the square has been returned to its original function as a market place. Today the square is a regular stop on the tourist itinerary, as the market sells tourist memorabilia from across Africa.
Greenmarket Square is where Cape Town caught a glimpse of its first electrical light and it is the central point from which the landscape of Cape Town was mapped out. Some people think of it as the very nucleus of our vibrant, Mother City.
What is your favourite market in the Mother City?
Nice photos
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Love this post. Takes me right back to the markets in CT and Joberg. Thank you!
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Thank you Cynthia.
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This is our favourite too! Great pictures!
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Glad to hear!
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good shots! the homey vibes of the market is appealing!
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Thank you!! It is a lovely place to spend the morning or even the afternoon just strolling around!
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So much colour in the handcrafts. You look just like your Mum. 🙂
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Thank you! These handcrafts are really beautiful, and if you get the chance to visit Cape Town, this is where you should come to buy your souveniers!!
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Super blog 👏🏻👍🏻
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Thank you so much, and a very warm welcome to my journey!!
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🙂
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I love walking through markets like this.
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I agree Colline! I love exploring the local markets of cities or towns I get to explore. Here you get a taste of the local culture and get to meet some very colourfyl local people!
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Wonderful collection Janaline. Why were the streets deserted on Saturday morning?
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I guess most people like to sleep in on weekends. Most Sunday mornings I had the streets all to myself, and very early on Saturdays the city is also quiet. It usually only starts to wake up around 9am!
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We realised that the city is quiet on the weekend because everyone goes to the V&A Waterfront!
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