Constitutional Hill sits on a rise in Braamfontein, on the western edge of central Johannesburg, at 11 Kotze Street. It is a former prison complex that has been turned into a heritage site, and it is also home to South Africa's Constitutional Court. The same ground that once held people under apartheid-era detention now houses the country's highest court, which gives a visit here a sharp contrast between the past and the present.
What you will see
The site brings together several buildings that tell different parts of the story:
- The Old Fort, the oldest part of the complex, with its walls and cells.
- The Women's Jail, which focuses on the experience of women held there.
- Number Four, a prison block that forms another part of the tour.
Because the buildings sit close together, you can move between them on foot and take in how the site fits into the surrounding city.
Planning your visit
Constitutional Hill suits visitors interested in history, law, and the workings of a young democracy. It is a place to take your time, and the stories told here can be heavy, so allow space to reflect afterwards. The site is easy to reach from the rest of central Johannesburg, and the nearby streets of Braamfontein offer cafés and places to eat before or after your visit.
For opening arrangements and to check what is available on the day, you can call +27 11 381 3100 before you go.
