<P> From 1961, Robben Island was used by the South African government as a prison for political prisoners and convicted criminals . In 1969 the Moturu Kramat, which is now a sacred site for Muslim pilgrimage on Robben Island, was built to commemorate Sayed Abdurahman Moturu, the Prince of Madura . Moturu, who was one of Cape Town's first imams, was exiled to the island in the mid-1740s . He died there in 1754 . Muslim political prisoners would pay homage at the shrine before leaving the island . </P> <P> The maximum security prison for political prisoners closed in 1991 . The medium security prison for criminal prisoners was closed five years later . </P> <P> With the end of apartheid, the island has become a popular destination with global tourists . It is managed by Robben Island Museum (RIM); which operates the site as a living museum . In 1999 the island was declared a World Heritage Site . Every year thousands of visitors take the ferry from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town for tours of the island and its former prison . Many of the guides are former prisoners . All land on the island is owned by the state of South Africa with the exception of the island church . It is open all year around, weather permitting . </P> <P> Robben Island is accessible to visitors through tours that depart from Cape Town's waterfront . Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum . These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison including Nelson Mandela's cell . </P>

When was robben island declared a heritage site