The Noon Gun

Description

The Noon Gun is a cannon that goes off at exactly 12h00 every day. Situated on Signal Hill, the Noon Gun is one of Cape Town’s oldest living traditions, and the guns themselves are two of the oldest in the world still in use today.

The Noon Gun dates back as far as 1806, when it was used as a warning signal for ships anchored in Table Bay, and it was fired from the Castle of Good Hope. It has since been moved in to its present position, where it overlooks Cape Town, the harbour and Table Bay.

Today, the gun is fired electronically from The South African Astronomical Observatory in Observatory and its accuracy comes from an atomic clock. You can watch the ritual at Lion Battery, from 11:30 (except on Sundays or public holidays).