Robben Island Museum

World Heritage Site

 
Chronology

Pre 1498: Pre-colonial

Unknown

  • Archaeological research being conducted.

1498-1652: European ships passing the Island via the Cape to the East

Prison, refuge, pantry and post office

  • 1498: First recorded landing on RI by Vasco da Gama's fleet.
  • c.1525: Portuguese convicts
  • 1615: English convicts
  • 1632-40: Autshumato living on RI

1652-1795: Dutch East India Company period

Prison, Pantry & Quarantine station

  • c.1658- 1795: Criminal and political prisoners
  • 1682 - 1795: East Asian exiles
  • 1771-1790: Quarantine station

1795-1802: First British occupation

Prison

  • Military & criminal prisoners

1803-1806: Batavian period

Prison

1806-1910: British colonial period

Prison & Hospital

  • 1808-1846: Military, criminal and political prisoners
  • 1846-1931: Hospital for lepers (until 1931), lunatics (until 1921) and chronic sick (until 1891)
  • 1855-1869: Xhosa political prisoners
  • 1874-1890: Prisoners from present-day Kwazulu Natal and Northern Cape regions
  • 1866-1921: Convict station

1910-1961: Union of South Africa

Convict station, Hospital & Coastal Defence and Training Station

  • 1866-1921: Convict station
  • 1846-1931: Hospital for lepers (until 1931), and lunatics (until 1921).
  • 1939-1959: Occupied by the Army and Navy for training and coastal defence

1961-1994: Apartheid Republic of South Africa

Prison

  • 1961-1991: Maximum security prison for political prisoners
  • 1961-1996: Medium security prison for criminal prisoners

1994: Democratic South Africa

Museum & Heritage Site

  • 1997: Museum, National Monument
  • 1999: World Heritage Site