The dynamic Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex encompasses many places of historical interest. The best-known is the Old Post Office Tree. In the year 1500 a sailor left a letter in a shoe under the tree and a year later the letter was found by João da Nova, thereby founding the first “Post Office”. Today, more than 500 years later, visitors can still post letters here!

The Maritime Museum houses the impressive life-size replica of the Dias caravel, the ship on which he sailed into Mossel Bay. The Shell Museum and Aquarium houses imaginative shell exhibitions including a portrayal of the history of the use of shells by man. The Granary serves as the reception area of the complex. There is also an Ethno-botanical garden, Munro Cottages and the fresh water spring, which was found by Bartolomeu Dias and still flows today.  Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Entrance R10 (adults), R3 (scholars)
Open: 9am–4.45pm (Mon-Fri); 9am–3.45pm (Sat, Sun, holidays)
 t 044 691 1067  f 044 691 1915
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