The Old Town House is one of Cape Town’s oldest public buildings and a landmark on Greenmarket Square. Built in 1755 as the city’s first town hall, the elegant Cape Rococo building now houses the renowned Michaelis Collection, one of South Africa’s finest collections of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art. It offers visitors the chance to experience both Cape Town’s colonial history and European master paintings within a beautifully preserved historic setting.
Completed in 1755, the Old Town House served as Cape Town’s first town hall for almost a century before civic administration moved elsewhere. The building later became home to the Michaelis Collection after Sir Max Michaelis donated his internationally important collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings to the people of South Africa in 1914. Today the museum preserves both the historic building and one of the country’s most significant European art collections.
The galleries display works by Dutch and Flemish masters alongside fine Cape furniture, silver and decorative arts. Visitors can also admire the building itself, with its distinctive Cape Rococo façade, elegant interiors and original architectural features that reflect the prosperity of 18th-century Cape Town.
Its central location makes the Old Town House an ideal addition to a walking tour of Cape Town’s historic centre. Many visitors combine the museum with Greenmarket Square, the Castle of Good Hope, Slave Lodge, St George’s Cathedral and Company’s Garden to explore the city’s colonial, artistic and cultural heritage in a single day.
Highlights
- Cape Town’s first town hall, completed in 1755
- Home to the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings
- One of the country’s finest examples of Cape Rococo architecture
- Overlooks the historic Greenmarket Square
- Original period interiors and historic civic spaces
- Part of the Iziko Museums of South Africa network
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Old Town House?
The Old Town House is Cape Town’s first town hall and today operates as a museum housing the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish art.
What is the Michaelis Collection?
The Michaelis Collection is one of South Africa’s finest collections of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, donated by Sir Max Michaelis in 1914.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour exploring the museum.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes. Families interested in art, architecture and Cape Town’s history will enjoy the museum, although older children generally gain the most from the exhibitions.
What attractions are nearby?
The Old Town House is within easy walking distance of Greenmarket Square, the Castle of Good Hope, Slave Lodge, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap Museum and St George’s Cathedral.
