Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Nowhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Constitution Hill is a national heritage site situated in the Johannesburg CBD and is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa- the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Once a place of injustice and brutality, where South Africa's leading political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, were detained, the site has been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy, home to the Women's Gaol museum, Number Four Museum, and Old Fort Museum. Apart from its engaging and gripping exhibitions, Constitution Hill is also open to the public for guided tours and has become an important platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. The vast variety of programmes hosted at Constitution Hill enable us to embrace current issues, celebrate days of national significance, address matters of public interest and create a forum for public debate. With its rich history and character Constitution Hill boasts of ideal platforms to educate and learn about South Africa's story. ConHill, as it is famously known, also offers a variety of multi-purpose venues, suitable for conferencing, performances, a large array of events and for public activities and programmes.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1 617 reviews
Excellent
988
Very good
489
Average
117
Poor
15
Terrible
8
Cristalt
Chicago, IL34 contributions
Dec 2019
The Apartheid museum gets a lot of much-deserved attention, but I am so glad that we also visited Constitution Hill. It was sobering to see this place where Mandela, Ghandi and countless others were held and the horrific way they were treated. I also appreciated the symbolism of then turning the prison into the Constitutional Court.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Cristalt,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill!
We are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time with us and hope to see you back soon.
Written 27 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David20130609
Waunakee, WI1 181 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is an excellent representation of the horror of apartheid. We took the hour long tour. Our guide provide a respectful accord of the apartheid and the in human treatment of black and others. The tour ends up in the supreme court, which provide a uplifting story of how SA is dealing with issues.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi David20130609,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill and for sharing your experience with us.
We're glad that you have enjoyed your tour with us and look forward to having you visit again.
Written 27 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SashaSimitopoulos
Johannesburg, South Africa174 contributions
Jan 2020
My number 1 tip is to go on the hourly guided tours, they are included and from what i was told they are on the hours (don't be late!)- just phone and double check. Our tour guide was unbelievable! So interesting, so engaging- made us open our eyes and laugh. Took my kids age 10 and 7 and they enjoyed it and learnt so much. Seeing the court was very special. Cannot recommend a visit enough- so sad to see it all, but Madiba's spirit lives on in this special place.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear SashaSimitopoulos,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill and sharing your experience with us!
We are glad to hear that you and your family have all enjoyed your time spent with us and look forward to your next visit.
Written 27 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1 178 contributions
Nov 2021
Spent an entire day here to see the four museums. Ensure you do a guided tour for an hour as the guides there are amazing and really bring to life, in vivid detail, the true horrors of what went on here. We ended up spending the better part of six hours to see everything and simply ran out of energy but he end of it. The best order to do it is to start with Prison Four, then the constitutional court, the entry tunnel and Mandela’s cell and, finally, the women’s prison.
Written 29 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear ChristopherV,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill and your wonderful feedback!
We are glad you enjoyed your experience with us and look forward to your next visit
Written 3 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kpgreynomads
King's Lynn, UK178 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We booked online. We used Uber from our Guest House door to door, we did not get out of our car on arrival until we were inside the complex. Security guards everywhere were very helpful. You enter via a security gate and then exit your vehicle. Hop on Hop off bus also drops on site. It was only £5 for two pensioners . We had self guided tour. It is a walk around complex with many different parts of the Fort/Prison utilised for displays and exhibitions. Block 4 amazing Art exhibition by Keiskammer Art Project commenced in 2000 to support AIDS/HIV victims. The tapestries they have woven are something else, I love Art Galleries so this was an unexpected bonus. Lots of information about Apartheid and Womens Prisoners, and we went inside the Constitutional Court. There was a peaceful sit in Protest outside the Court which was it was explained to us concerned us. The cafe is very good too. Mandela and Gandhi ex too. Isolation , Prison cells and details of atrocities by Guards. We visited the Apartheid Museum also which is packed with information , detailed accounts of African history from early settlers to post Apartheid, but we felt the Constitution Hill was more connected with recent history as it is situated in a location where peoples lives were affected by Apartheid.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Kygreynomads,
Thank you for visiting us and your great feedback!
We are glad you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to your next visit.
Written 6 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TravelbugVietnam
Vietnam1 647 contributions
Jan 2023
The big red hop on/hop off bus stopped right outside the Holiday Inn in Rosebank and took us directly to Constitution Hill. Here for a small fee you could join a guided tour which took you around and inside the cells at Number 4 prison and inside the Constitutional Court. I went on a Saturday so the court was not in session. If you want to observe a court case you would need to go on a week day when the court was sitting. You are free to walk around and inspect the other parts of the prison complex and I spent some time in the Women's Prison. Photography is allowed. Consult the bus timetable and then get back on for a visit to the Apartheid Museum. This is the easiest way to see these two important sites in Johannesburg.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear TravelbugVietnam ,
Thank you for visiting us and your awesome feedback!
We are glad you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to your next visit.
Written 6 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pierrejoburgambassador
Randburg, South Africa185 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
Tourists: Go inside the big modern building, here you will find the Highest Court in South Africa: the Constitutional Court. There is so much to learn and see here, I know the signage is poor. I am not sure if a guided tour is available here or not but if there is, you should definitely use it. There is really a great amount to see at Constitution Hill.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Pierre V,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill and your wonderful feedback.
We are glad you enjoyed your experience with us and would like to suggest to join our two hour guided tour which takes you to all museum sections as well as the court.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written 20 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Heinh
5 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
Our visit to Constitution Hill was really inspirational and profoundly sobering. I definite must see for both South Africans and visitors. The contrast of the suffering in the prison to the inspirational Court chamber is an uplifting experience and a reminder of how good can overcome evil.
Best and most appropriate architecture in a historical setting I've ever seen. Fanatastic tour guide.
Best and most appropriate architecture in a historical setting I've ever seen. Fanatastic tour guide.
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Heinhiest,
Thank you for visiting us and your wonderful feedback!
Constitution Hill is definitely a great historical experience not to be missed.
We are glad you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to your next visit!
Written 21 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alden L
Washington DC, DC18 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We had an excellent extended tour led by our guide, Brenda. Truly sobering and thought-provoking visit learning about the history of the apartheid period. And a really cool bonus to get to tour the current Constitutional Court within the complex. Would strongly recommend the extended tour if available, which lets you see some others parts of the prison, including the women’s section to learn about some of the women leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle. Brenda was an excellent guide, super knowledgeable and very engaging, truly made history come to life.
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear 142aldenl,
Thank you for visiting us and your awesome feedback!
We are glad you enjoyed your time with us and our amazing tour guide Brenda , we hope to see you again soon.
Written 6 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris W
Peterborough, UK233 contributions
Feb 2020
What an amazing place. Unfortunately I only had time to do Number 4, Mandela/Ghandi exhibit and Constitutional court, however still a great insight into the history of South Africa. If you can it is well worth getting a guide to explain everything so you fully understand the history. This is a great start to then go and see the Apartheid Museum and Mandela house.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Chris W,
Thank you for visiting Constitution Hill and your wonderful feedback!
Please do come back to do our two hour guided tour - an experience showcasing the entire site. We also offer a self guided experience where you can spend hours with us!
Written 25 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olá! É preciso comprar ingresso antecipadamente? O pagamento pode ser feito em dólares ou com cartão de crédito?
Obrigada!
Written 14 August 2019
Ingresso cumpra-se na hora. Não tenho certeza se é possível utilizar US$, ou c/c já que paguei em Rands
Written 16 December 2019
Hola como estas? sabes si hay audioguias en español? En la web solo habla de guias en idioma ingles.
Gracias.
Written 24 November 2018
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Apologies for the slight delay.
We unfortunately do not have Spanish audio guides on site. We will look into making this inclusion in our offering in future.
Warm regards,
ConHill Team
Written 19 December 2018
Is the tour accessible? Is Constitution Hill accessible to someone who has mobility challenges?
Written 1 October 2018
Hi we do have ramps and facilities for accessibility. Please feel free to engage before hand for further accommodation.
Written 19 December 2018
Hello can we park all day in constitution hill parking?
Written 28 July 2017
Good day,
Constitution Hill has ample paid parking for all our visitors.
Thank you.
Written 29 September 2017
hola magalatte , una pregunta , guias en español solo en igles , gracias
Written 27 August 2016
Hi there
Unfortunately, our tours are currently only in Engish - we hope to be able to accommodate other languages in the near future.
Written 12 September 2016
Planning on visiting Sept. 9 first think in the morning. When is the first tour? How long do tours last?
Written 9 August 2016
Hi sterner2016, the ConHill tours start at 9am. There is a guided tour departing every hour.
Thank you!
Written 19 October 2016
Is it safe to walk in the Hillbrow area during the day? I do enjoy exploring a city on foot rather than going on tours. Can I do it in Johannesburgh city center safely?
Written 13 January 2016
Hi Federico S, the ConHill precinct is safe to walk in, but it is always advisable to be cautious when walking within the city.
Thank you.
Written 19 October 2016
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