Rust en Vreugd, Urban architecture museum in Cape Town, South Africa.
Rust en Vreugd is a three-story townhouse with Corinthian columns, a wraparound balcony, and a garden laid out in period style. The building houses a collection of drawings, etchings, and prints displayed throughout its rooms.
The house was built in 1778 by a wealthy attorney of the Dutch East India Company to display his prosperity. It later became an important site for preserving and exhibiting South African artistic works.
The residence served as home to merchants and collectors whose works on display document life across different periods of South African history. Visitors today encounter artworks in the rooms showing everyday scenes, people, and moments from the past.
The museum sits on Buitenkant Street in Cape Town Central and sometimes requires advance arrangements for viewing the sensitive art collection. It is wise to check opening hours and any conditions before your visit.
The original wrought iron gates from Amsterdam dated 1778 were not left in place but were relocated elsewhere over time. This removal tells a surprising story about how the house's furnishings changed hands and moved away.
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