St George's Cathedral, Cape Town

The name may not ring a bell but it’s very likely that South Africa’s first black Archbishop, Desmond Tutu, does. And, as it’s fondly nicknamed his Cathedral, it’s likely that we will have sparked your interest. 

Originally opened in 1834, but completely re-built into the gothic design that can be seen today in 1978, St George’s is the oldest Cathedral in the whole of South Africa. So, for those of you looking to immerse yourself into the country’s history, this is a great place to start – for a whole host of reasons. 

Compared to grand designs of Cathedrals that can be found across Europe, St George’s may seem fairly modest, but it is hugely symbolic of the country’s turbulent past. Initially designed with London’s classical Church of St. Pancras in mind, the British influence on South Africa during the 19th century is immediately apparent in the architecture of the building. This is a country shaped by its colonisation after all. 

But it’s St George’s more recent history that has led it to be commonly known as the “People’s Cathedral”. Under the guidance of the great philanthropist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, it was one of the only places of worship that held its doors open to all races, without discrimination, during the apartheid era. 

This is an ethos that has continued today, having more recently welcomed the country’s first openly gay priest – characterising a space of both sanctuary and protest, this Cathedral most definitely makes for an interesting sightseeing stop.