Overview
Constitution Hill sits on a ridge in Braamfontein where, for over a century, ordinary citizens and political leaders alike were imprisoned under colonial and apartheid law. Mahatma Gandhi was held here in 1908, Nelson Mandela passed through in 1956, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela endured solitary confinement in the Women's Jail. In 2004, the site was reborn when South Africa's Constitutional Court — built partly from the bricks of the demolished awaiting-trial block — opened on the same grounds where injustice had once been enforced.
Architecture
Old Fort - Stone ramparts and punishment cells where thousands were detained. Women's Jail - Interactive exhibition on the female prisoners who defied apartheid. Constitutional Court - The building itself is a work of art, incorporating prison materials and 27 artworks commissioned from South African artists. Number Four - The notorious black men's prison block with its bleak communal cells
When to Visit
Daily: 9 AM - 5 PM. Court sessions: Public gallery open when court is in session (advance notice on the Court's website). Best: Weekday mornings when groups are smaller and guides can take more time
Admission and Costs
General entry: R100 ($6) adults, R50 children. Guided tour (1.5 hours): R250 per person. Private heritage tour including Constitution Hill: R1,500-2,500
Tips for Visitors
Combine with the Apartheid Museum: A Constitution Hill morning and Apartheid Museum afternoon makes for a powerful day. Art lovers: The Constitutional Court art collection alone is worth the visit; guides explain the symbolism in each piece. Wear comfortable shoes: The site covers multiple buildings on uneven ground across a large hilltop precinct. Free on Heritage Day: September 24 offers free entry as part of South Africa's Heritage Day celebrations. Cafe and bookshop: Take time for the bookshop stocked with South African constitutional law and history titles