Table Mountain seen from Signal Hill, Cape Town, Western Cape province

Signal Hill, a landmark, flat-topped hill located in Cape Town, offers great views of the city, Table Mountain and the surrounding area.

Its name is derived from the fact that signal flags were used on the hill to communicate weather warnings as well as anchoring instructions to visiting ships in order to ensure that they prepared adequately for stormy weather while in the bay. Similarly, ships could use flags to signal for assistance if, for example, an anchor line parted during a storm.

Guns on Signal Hill were used to notify the public when a ship was in trouble and there was a possibility of casualties on the coast near Cape Town.

PHOTO SOURCE: Walter Knirr, courtesy of, and copyright, South Africa Tourism, a department of the government of South Africa, used with permission.

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