The Post Office Tree

The old milkwood tree (Sideroxylon inerme) inside the Dias Museum Complex has been used as a post office since 1501.

In 1500, on his return journey from the east, Pedro de Ataide left a letter of importance in a shoe or iron pot under a tree.  In 1501 this letter was found by Joao da Nova, commander of the third East India fleet en route to India.

In this way the first Post Office in South Africa was founded.
The Post Office Tree has been declared a national monument.

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