Tour Guide
Eternal Flame memorial on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg

Historic Building

🏛️ Constitution Hill

From a place of brutality to the seat of South Africa's highest values

Photo: Ralf Herrmann · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

What makes Constitution Hill historically important?

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.

Weather in Constitution Hill

Weather data from MET Norway

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year is recommended for visiting Constitution Hill?

March through May and September through November are the most comfortable months, with mild Highveld temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius that make walking between the outdoor prison blocks and indoor Constitutional Court pleasant. The site is largely exposed, so the summer rains from November through February can interrupt outdoor portions of the tour with sudden afternoon thunderstorms. South Africa's Constitution Day on December 10 and Human Rights Day on March 21 occasionally bring special events and commemorations.

When can visitors tour Constitution Hill?

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

How much is the entrance fee for Constitution Hill?

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

What should visitors know before visiting Constitution Hill?

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.