Rust En Vreugd

Rust en Vreugd is one of the few surviving 18th-century townhouses on the edge of Cape Town’s city centre. Built in the late 1700s, it originally served as the residence of Willem Cornelis Boers, a senior official of the Dutch East India Company. Boers held the position of fiscal at the Cape, a powerful role overseeing legal matters, but his career ended in controversy when he was recalled to the Netherlands following allegations of corruption.

Constructed around 1778, the house reflects the grandeur of the period. Its design is attributed to architect Louis Thibault, with decorative elements by sculptor Anton Anreith. The double-storey building features a flat roof, a prominent stoep, and an overhanging balcony supported by fluted teak columns with Corinthian capitals. Inside, the layout follows traditional Cape domestic design, with a central entrance hall, reception rooms, and a courtyard leading to kitchens and private quarters. Extensive use of teak adds to the building’s durability and character.

After Boers’s departure, the property passed through several owners before becoming the residence of Lord Charles Somerset between 1814 and 1826. Over time, the estate was reduced as Cape Town expanded, and by the late 19th century, the building was used for public purposes, including education and healthcare. Restoration efforts in the 20th century preserved the structure, and it was declared a National Monument in 1940.

Today, Rust en Vreugd forms part of the Iziko Museums of South Africa and houses the William Fehr Collection, a significant archive of artworks depicting life at the Cape and across southern Africa.

Beyond its architectural and historical importance, the house has gained a reputation for unusual experiences reported by visitors. Some describe hearing footsteps in empty rooms or feeling an unexplained tap on the shoulder. Others claim to have seen figures moving through the building, including a woman on the ground floor or watching from an upstairs window. Even dogs are said to react strongly to the portrait of Lord Charles Somerset, often growling or refusing to approach it.

Whether viewed as folklore or something more, these stories add another layer to a building already rich in history, making Rust en Vreugd one of Cape Town’s more intriguing heritage sites.

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78 Buitenkant St, Cape Town