About a year ago, Virtual Africa sent some photographers out to Robben Island to create a virtual tour on behalf of South African Tourism. This virtual tour was included in the official SA Tourism Google Earth layer and we thought we’d share it with you here.
Robben Island has a unique and colourful history: Leper Colony, World War II fortress, Prison and now …. a museum, a place of remembrance.
If you haven’t been to this special place, put it on that list of “things-to-do-before-I-die”, buy a ticket and get it done!
You can read the history books and look at the pictures as much as you like, but it simply won’t prepare you for the experience of actually being there.
When you step off that ferry for the first time, you know you’ve arrived at a place of significance.
Walking the halls of the prison, peering into the cells, visiting the quarries where the prisoners had to work and listening to the stories of ex political prisoners is hugely educational, deeply depressing and wonderfully uplifting – all at the same time.
Nelson Mandela’s Prison Cell
View the full screen Panoramic
It’s also a place dear to my heart.
I had the privilege to visit the island in the 80’s, albeit as an uninformed schoolboy who didn’t even know who Nelson Mandela was, let alone that he was held up in his cell while was there.
I also had the privilege to be on the island on New Years Eve 1999/2000 – the so-called turning of the millennium – but this time I knew about Dr Mandela and this time he was back in his cell for a totally different reason – to light a candle as a symbol of hope.
Now I know your “things-to-do-before-I-die” list is probably a long one, so I thought we should try and help you make half a tick next to ‘Robben Island’ and maybe, if we give you just enough of a teaser, you’ll move Robben Island to the “things-I-have-to-do-before-2010″ list.
Click here to view the complete virtual tour of the island.
To view the panoramic images of Robben Island integrated into Google Maps, click on our map link (on the left) and choose Robben Island on the drop down menu – it’s the coolest way to explore.
We’ll see you soon ………
The famous cave at the limestone quarry where Mandela and others had their meetings.
Today, photographers aren’t allowed to use a flash to photograph Dr Mandela, because the long hours working with the limestone damaged his eyes and left them extremely sensitive to bright light.
(Click here to view the full screen panoramic)
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@Daily_360 and @tinusleroux 
Whilst I respect and admire Nelson Mandela for his huge contribution to change in South Africa, it is sad that the previous occupiers of Robben Island are hardly given any credit or recognition. It has now become a cash cow of the present goverment and most of the fees collected are stolen – this is why every head of Robben Island Museum has so far been dismissed for (theft of funds?) “mismanagement”. certainly not a cause worth contibuting millions of Euros to.
Instead of visiting and being fleeced by the operators, rather donate your money to Nelson Mandela’s Childrens Fund.
[...] all began – Mvezo, his first home in Soweto, his prison cell on Robben Island (of which I posted a virtual tour earlier) and the tiny rural town where he is celebrating his 90th with family and friends – [...]
[...] (take a virtual tour of Nelson Mandela’s prison cell.) [...]