Diaz Museum – Hartenbos

Diaz Museum – Hartenbos

The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex was officially opened on 3 February 1989, however, the Mossel Bay museum industry can be traced back to the 1960s when the Mossel Bay museum was first opened. The museum later became known as the Post Tree Museum Complex before being renamed again in 1989.

Visitors can experience the characterful architecture of 1900 as well as the modernised elements by the brilliant Fagan architects in the Maritime Museum. The magnificent blue Adamastor tiles, the subtle maritime architectural features and the three exquisite stained glass windows/pieces of art, lovingly created by Mrs Ria Kriek contribute to a remarkable ambience in this building.

The museum shop is in the Maritime Museum. Visitors can get a special Post Office Tree frank for free in the shop!

Some of the other experiences that visitors can look forward to enjoying are the Post Office Tree, the Ethno-Botanical garden, the spring, several large artifacts such as large antique anchors and canons on the museum terrain, the Malay graves, the outside of the Munro cottages and the Padrao (Portuguese cross).

The Shell Museum and Aquarium houses the largest exhibit about molluscs in Africa! There are some live molluscs and other small aquatic animals on exhibit in aquariums in this building.

Entrance to the museum complex from Mondays to Fridays is through the Granary. There are a few attractive temporary displays, including the popular specimen table with fresh, indigenous local examples of plants with educational
information.

For enquiries call 044 6911 067 or send a mail to info@diasmuseum.co.za