Constitution Hill★★
Constitution Hill is a former prison in the heart of Johannesburg, where both Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were imprisoned. Today, it houses the Constitutional Court of South Africa—built with the bricks of the old prison. The message: From a place of oppression to a symbol of justice.
What you see
- Old Fort: Built in 1892 for white prisoners. Mandela was imprisoned here in 1956.
- Number Four: The notorious prison for black inmates—overcrowded, brutal, inhumane. The cells are preserved and oppressive.
- Women's Gaol: The women's prison where Winnie Mandela and Albertina Sisulu were held.
- Constitutional Court: South Africa's highest court, overseeing the world's most progressive constitution. The architecture is symbolic: glass facades for transparency, 11 pillars for 11 official languages.
11 Kotze St, Braamfontein. 90 ZAR (5€). Daily 9–17. Guided tours recommended.
