Statue of Jan van Riebeeck facts for kids
The statue of Jan van Riebeeck stands next to the statue of Maria van Riebeeck in Cape Town, South Africa. Both statues face away from the sea, looking towards Table Mountain. Jan van Riebeeck was an important figure in South African history. He helped establish a refreshment station at the Cape for the Dutch East India Company in 1652.
Contents
The Jan van Riebeeck Statue
Where to Find the Statue
The statue is located on Adderley Street in Cape Town. It stands with its back to the sea. It looks south towards the famous Table Mountain.
Who Donated the Statue?
The statue was a gift to Cape Town from Cecil Rhodes. He was a well-known British businessman and politician. Rhodes paid a Scottish sculptor named John Tweed £1,000 for the artwork. He asked that the statue be larger than life-size. He also asked that Tweed's name not be on the statue itself. The statue rests on a tall base made of Cape granite. This base is about 4.25 meters high. An architect friend of Tweed's designed it.
Unveiling the Statue
The bronze statue was officially shown to the public on May 18, 1899. The Mayor of Cape Town, Thomas Ball, unveiled it. Many important people were there, including the entire City Council and national politicians. Members of the public also attended. However, Cecil Rhodes himself was not there. He was traveling in Europe at the time.
The Statue's Location Over Time
Cecil Rhodes chose the spot for the statue carefully. He wanted it to be where Jan van Riebeeck first came ashore. Over the years, Cape Town has grown a lot. The harbor has developed, and tall buildings now surround the statue. A large roundabout was built at the site. This area was once called Heerengracht. In 1969, a statue of Maria van Riebeeck was placed next to her husband's.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
It is interesting to know that there is no true picture of Jan van Riebeeck. So, the statue is an artist's idea of him. In the statue, Van Riebeeck's sword is in its holder. He holds his walking stick in his right hand. The clothes he wears in the statue are not quite right for the time period. For example, the shoulder straps and the type of jacket he wears became popular after he left for Java. Hat feathers were in style then, but the statue does not show them.
Remembering Jan van Riebeeck
Each year on April 6, people used to celebrate Founders Day. On this day, wreaths were placed at the statues of Jan and Maria van Riebeeck. This was a way to remember their historical importance.
A Bust in Culemborg
In Culemborg, which is Jan van Riebeeck's birthplace, there is a bust of him. A bust is a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders. The Cape Town City Council donated this bust to Culemborg.
