Robben Island Former prison on Robben Island, South Africa. (more) Robben Island island, South Africa Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/place/Robben-Island Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites South African History Online - Robben Island, South Africa Robben Island Museum in Cape Town, South Africa UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Robben Island Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Robben Island - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11) Robben Island - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Robbeneiland Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 3, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Afrikaans: Robbeneiland (Show more) See all related content News • President remembers war veteran Guiteb as gallant freedom fighter • Aug. 1, 2025, 11:51 PM ET (The Namibian) ...(Show more) Robben Island prisoners to reunite in September, statues of Mandela, Ya Toivo to be unveiled • July 24, 2025, 5:49 AM ET (The Namibian) Show less

　　1 of 2Robben Island locationRobben Island, South Africa, designated a World Heritage site in 1999.(more)

　　2 of 2Robben IslandRobben Island in Table Bay, north of Cape Town, South Africa, was once home to a maximum-security prison but later became an important tourism venue, with a museum, a lighthouse, and other attractions, and was designated a World Heritage site in 1999.(more)Robben Island, island in Table Bay, Western Cape province, South Africa. It is 5 miles (8 km) west of the mainland and 6 miles (10 km) north of Cape Town and has an approximate area of 5 square miles (13 square km). Its name is the Dutch word for “seals,” once plentiful in the surrounding waters. The island was a common stopping point for passing ships in the 16th and early 17th centuries. After early efforts at settlement, it was made a Dutch and then a British penal colony. The island housed a leper colony from 1846 to 1931, and those judged insane were also sent there. A lighthouse was installed in 1864. Fortifications were erected during World War II, and from the mid-1960s to 1991 Robben Island served as South Africa’s maximum-security prison. Most inmates, including Nelson Mandela, were black men incarcerated for political offenses. The last of these prisoners were released in 1991. The island continued to serve as a medium-security prison for criminal offenders until 1996. In 1997 it was turned into a museum and declared a national monument, and in 1999 it received designation as a World Heritage site.

　　The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.