Stellenbosch
City Of Oaks
General Information
Other Name: Eikestad, , State: Western Cape, South Africa
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: Africaans,English
Long Distance Code: +27(0)21
Importance: The Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek valleys form the Cape Winelands, the largest of the two main wine growing regions in South Africa.
Best Time to Visit: - to - and A town for all seasons
International Access: -Description
The beautiful little town of Stellenbosch, roughly an hour from Cape Town, lies surrounded by the Stellenbosch Mountains in the Jonkershoek River Valley in one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape.The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.Location
55km to the east of Cape Town.Climate
Mediterranean climate
The Dorp (Village) Museum is a group of four houses dating from 1709 to 1850 which have been carefully restored and furnished in the original style, with gardens planted as they would have been at the time. The Schreuder House, built around 1709 by a court messenger of that name, is the oldest in town. The Bletterman House was built about 1789 by Judge H. L. Bletterman, and after his death became the residence of the local judge. The oldest part of Grosvenor House, a two-story building in Neo-Classical style, dates from 1782; on the left of the main building are the old slaves' quarters, on the right a shed. The O.M. Bergh House was occupied by Oloff Marthinus Bergh until his death in 1866.
On the northwest corner of the Braak is Fick House, also known as the Burgerhuis, a fine example of Cape Dutch style from the late 18th century. Most of this building is now occupied by Historical Homes of South Africa, established to preserve important architecture.
The small Jonkershoek Forest Reserve is around 8km southeast of town along the Waround R4 and set within a timber plantation. Here you'll find walking and biking trails.
Cellar tours and the tranquil wine garden ensure that a visit to Neethlingshof is much more than just a wine tasting experience. However, the first impression of this estate that dates back to 1692, is of the stunning Pine Avenue–reflected on each bottle of wine. The carefully restored and preserved buildings (the manor house dates back to 1814) house up-to-date cellar technology designed to facilitate the production of world-class wines. There are two restaurants– the Lord Neethling and the Palm Terrace–cellar and vineyard tours culminate in a barbecue lunch and wine tasting.
Situated in the "Museum Mile" in central Cape Town, the South African Jewish Museum offers visitors a truly unique experience with its bold architectural design, interactive multi-media displays and engaging accounts of South African Jewish history. The South African Jewish Museum was officially opened by Nelson Mandela in December 2000. The brainchild of Mendel Kaplan, the museum's founder and one of the benefactors, the project took about four years from planning to completion. Set in the heart of the Company's Garden in Museum Mile, it is a major attraction for local and international tourism.
The Neo-Classical Old Hoofgebou (1886) is the main building of Stellenbosch University.Stellenbosch University (the students are known as maties and the campus as Matieland) is the oldest and most celebrated university in South Africa. Founded in 1866 as a small grammar school, it was renamed Victoria College in 1887, Queen Victoria's Jubilee year, and raised to university status in 1918. Here the Boer intellectual elite studied and taught, among them future prime ministers, heads of state and ministers (Hans Strijdom, Daniel Malan, Jan Smuts, etc.). Here, it could be said, racism was given an academic consecration. But the University was also the source of progressive ideas: in 1958 a memorandum signed by 28 professors and lecturers called for reforms, some of which found expression in President de Klerk's "Rubicon" speech of 1990. The university refers with pride to the enormous increase in the number of black students between 1989 and 1993 - a percentage increase of no less than 228%; but it should be noted that in 1993 there were still only 151 black students out of a total of 14,387 - just 1.05%.
At the north end of the Braak, the town square (an open stretch of grass), you'll find the neo-Gothic St Mary's on the Braak Church, completed in 1852. To the west is the VOC Kruithuis (Powder House), which was built in 1777 to store the town's weapons and gunpowder and now houses a small military museum.On the northwest corner is Fick House, also known as the Burgerhuis, a fine example of Cape Dutch style from the late 18th century. Most of this building is now occupied by Historical Homes of South Africa, established to preserve important architecture.
Also known as 'the fountain of life', Waterford farm lives up to its reputation in every way. Situated in the tranquil Stellenbosch suburb of Paradyskloof, a visit to Waterford's charming old stone buildings will take you to a peaceful place where time seems to stand still. After tasting the wonderful wines that this estate has to offer, enjoy superb Italian cuisine at the restaurant 'La Massierie'. This is truly a Cape-Mediterranean experience that you will remember.