Robben Island is a small island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, famously known as the site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years behind bars. The island has a rich history, having served as a place of banishment, a military base, and a leper colony before becoming a symbol of the fight for freedom and equality. Today, Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the prison where Mandela was held, including his cell, and learn about the island’s significant role in South Africa’s apartheid history.