Description

Essentials about St. George’s Cathedral in brief

Located on the northern edge of Company’s Garden in the heart of Cape Town, St. George’s Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Cape Town. The place of worship was built from the sandstone of Table Mountain by the famous South African architect Sir Herbert Baker.

The architecture of St. George’s Cathedral

The cathedral, which was consecrated in 1834, was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded in the past – to this day, the construction is still not completely finished. When entering St. George’s Cathedral, one feels very strongly reminded of cathedrals of European model. Cape Town Cathedral is a wonderful work of art of the Victorian era, especially because of its stained glass windows.

Desmond Tutu and St. George’s Cathedral

However, St. George’s Cathedral became famous less for its neo-Gothic architectural style than for its history. On September 7, 1986, Desmond Tutu, the future archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner and chairman of the Truth Commission, which dealt with the crimes of the South African apartheid regime, hammered on the doors of the church. In this way, he wanted to lend weight to his demand to become the first black archbishop in the history of South Africa. Three years later, he got his wish. The church itself is a symbol of resistance to apartheid, as it has always provided a sanctuary for demonstrators of all races against apartheid.

The concerts at St. George’s Cathedral

Since its construction, music has also played an important role in the cathedral. Since 1964, when Barry Smith served as organist and choirmaster for 42 years, the music has been indispensable. Since then, choral and orchestral concerts have been held regularly. The excellent acoustics of St. George’s Cathedral are also used for classical concerts.

Website

sgcathedral.co.za

Opening hours

Admission fees

None.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Bus lines 101 and 107: Stop Dorp

Bus line 107: Stop Groote Kerk

By car:

In the immediate vicinity of the cathedral there are a number of parking lots.