Constantia, Cape Town

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Constantia is a district in Cape Town, South Africa. It is centred on the Constantia Valley and lies to the east of and at the foot of a prominent mountain called Constantiaberg. The area is separated by a low pass from Hout Bay to the west.

Constantia is situated in the Cape Peninsula, a few kilometres south of Table Mountain and the City Bowl (i.e. the central business district of the metropolis).

Constantia is one of the oldest suburbs of Cape Town and is famed for its wine. The estate of Groot Constantia (Big Constantia) was established in 1684 by the Dutch Colonial Governor of Cape Town, Simon van der Stel and other notable wine farms in the area include Klein Constantia (Small Constantia) and Constantia Uitsig (Constantia Outlook). Before the twentieth century, the region was noted for its exports of Constantia, a sweet dessert wine. Many years ago the trade was crippled by the arrival in the Cape of a parasite that attacked the vines. The reputation of the wine was further damaged by unscrupulous dealers who placed inferior "pirate" versions on the international market.

Constantia is a very affluent suburb with large properties and beautiful homes. House prices have rocketed in recent years. As an aside the area has had both the famous and the infamous as its residents. Mark Thatcher, the son of Margaret Thatcher lived in Constantia until he was charged with funding a coup in Equatorial Guineau. Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana also resides in the area.