NOON GUN

One of Cape Town's oldest living traditions is the Noon Gun, fired every day at 12pm sharp (except Sundays and public holidays). The 18-pounder, smoothbore muzzle-loaders are still in use today! These are the oldest guns in daily use in the world.There are actually two cannons on top of the Signal Hill overlooking Table Bay. This is so there is a back-up should one misfire. The Noon Gun originated so that ships which had been at sea and lost track of the correct time could re-set their clocks. Even quite far out at sea they could hear the sound, and if not, they would still see the puff of smoke and could work it out from there.Today the sound of this daily Cape Town tradition echoes through the City Bowl, and Capetonians check their watches and smile. You can watch the daily ritual up on  

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Signal Hill at Lion Battery, from 11:30. To get there head up Military Street in the Bo-Kaap to the Noon Gun. Look for for the sign-post on Buitengracht Street.