Stellenbosch, situated in a fruit-growing area, is one of the more interesting of South Africa's smaller towns. Lying so close to Cape Town, with so many attractive sights in the surrounding area, it is a place where visitors could profitably spend some time.
Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement (after Cape Town) on the Cape, founded in 1679 by Governor Van der Stel. The first settlers planted wheat, but it was soon realized that, thanks to the good soil and favorable climate of the area. Stellenbosch has also been for more than a century a university town and center of learning.
Stellenbosch is one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa and one of the best preserved of the towns dating from the time of the Dutch East India Company. Most of the town's historic core, round the Braak and along Dorp Street, still survives, with numerous old buildings in Cape Dutch style. A feature of Stellenbosch is its old oak-trees. Gay with color throughout the year, it has a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere which all visitors will feel as they stroll quietly about the town.
The Moederkerk is a Dutch Reformed church of 1722 which originally had a thatched roof. In 1863 it was remodeled in Neo-Gothic style by the architect Carl Otto Hager.
Soon after leaving Stellenbosch the road begins to climb to the Helshoogte Pass (336m/1102ft), from which there are magnificent views. The road then runs down to the Boschendal, with a mansion of 1812 which is a superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, now a national monument. The house is furnished in period style and is open to the public Here too there are a souvenir shop and a restaurant.
Address: Boschendal Mansion, Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Western Cape 7680, South Africa
An attractive excursion from Stellenbosch is to the Jonkershoek valley, in which is the Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, area 168ha/415ac. Through the reserve runs a circular hiking trail 2km/1.25mi long, which also leads to a 5ha/12ac wild flower garden.
The Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, area 25,000ha/61,750ac, is accessible only on foot, on the Boland Hiking Trail; it can also be reached from Sir Lowry's Pass. This reserve has an extraordinarily rich flora and a fauna which includes reeboks, springboks and dwarf antelopes; leopards, caracals and jackals are also occasionally to be seen.
Southwest of Stellenbosch is the old-established Neethlingshof. In the Cape Dutch mansion is an excellent restaurant. Rather less elegant is the adjoining Palm Terrace.
Address: Neethlingshof, Polkadraai Road, Vlottenburg, Western Cape 7604, South Africa
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Dorp Museum
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Franschhoek, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch
