The flags from on the battlementLeerdam Bastion
The cornerstones of the first bastion, later known as the Leerdam Bastion, were laid in January 1666', after which building started in all earnest. 300 sailors, commandeered from passing ships, soldiers and slaves were used as workforce, breaking stone and collecting shells which were burned in lime ovens. Clinkerbricks, also known as "Ijsel‑stene", which were used in Dutch ships as ballast, were off loaded from ships at the Cape to decorate certain parts of the Castle.
The flags from on the battlement
A view from on the battlement with Table Mountain in the background
A view from the entrance to the fort.
The flags on the Leerdam Bastion symbolise periods in the history of the Castle. The flags are:
 1994 - The South African Flag |  South Africa (Union and Republic) 1928 ‑ 1994 |
 Union Jack 1801 ‑ 1803 and 1806 ‑ 1957 |  The Statenvlag (Batavian Republic) 1654 ‑ 1795 and 1603 ‑ 1806 |
 The Union Flag of the United Kingdom of England and Scotland 1795 ‑ 1800 |  The orange, white and blue flag of the United Netherlands (De Prinzenvlag) 1652 - ±1654 and 1655 ‑ 1695 (occasionally)
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