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CulturalRef. 916

Robben Island

Cultural World Heritage property in South Africa, inscribed in 1999 under criteria (iii), (vi).

Robben Island, South Africa
Photo: South African Tourism from South Africa · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cape Floristic KingdomCradle of HumankindGreat ZimbabweHuman Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy SitesiSimangaliso Wetland ParkKhamiKhomani Cultural LandscapeMakhonjwa MountainsMaloti-Drakensberg ParkMapungubwe Cultural LandscapeMatobo HillsNamib Sand SeaRichtersveldRobben IslandThe Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene occupation sites of South AfricaTwyfelfonteinVredefort crater33.805° S, 18.370° E
State Party
South Africa
Region
Africa
Year of inscription
1999
Criteria
iiivi
Area of property
518 ha
Location
City of Cape Town
What it is
prison island, island
Elevation
17 m
Next to
Atlantic Ocean
Official website
robben-island.org.za
Reference
WHC 916 · Wikidata Q192493

Why it is on the List

(iii)A unique or exceptional witness to a cultural tradition or a civilisation, living or vanished.(vi)Directly linked to events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Cape Floristic Kingdom, South Africa40 kmCape Floristic KingdomSouth Africa · 2004NaturalThe Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene occupation sites of South Africa, South Africa158 kmThe Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene occupation sites of South AfricaSouth Africa · 2024Cultural339 kmMakhonjwa MountainsSouth Africa · 2018NaturalRichtersveld, South Africa589 kmRichtersveldSouth Africa · 2007CulturalHuman Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa796 kmHuman Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy SitesSouth Africa · 2024CulturalKhomani Cultural Landscape, South Africa923 kmKhomani Cultural LandscapeSouth Africa · 2017Cultural
South Africa

More sites in South Africa

All 12
1999

Also inscribed in 1999

All of 1999

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.