Robben Island

​Robben Island, which lies off the coast of Cape Town, is probably best known as a prison and was first used as such in the 17th century for the isolation of mainly political prisoners by the Dutch. A whaling station was built on the island in 1806 by Scottish whaler James Murray. The island has also been used as a leper colony and an animal quarantine station.
 
From 1961, Robben Island was used by the South African government as a prison for political prisoners and convicted criminals. In 1969 the Moturu Kramat, which is now a sacred site for Muslim pilgrimage on Robben Island, was built to commemorate Sayed Abdurahman Moturu, one of Cape Town's first imams, who was exiled to the island in the mid-1740s. He died there in 1754. 

​With the end of apartheid, the island has become a popular destination with global tourists. In 1999 the island was declared a World Heritage Site. Every year thousands of visitors take the ferry from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town for tours of the island and its former prison. Many of the guides are former prisoners.
Read more fascinating facts about Robben Island here 

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