Stellenbosch

Places of Interest - South Africa

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introduction

The city of Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town. It is known as the heart of the famous South African wine region, but also because of the presence of its university. This is one of the most famous but also notorious of the African continent. Here, predominantly teaching in Afrikaans is fiercely contested in government circles. In Afrikaans-speaking families from all over South Africa (and neighboring countries such as Namibia) it is traditionally customary for the children to study at the Stellenbosch University after secondary school.

The city has two faces; one is almost European - streets with high oak trees flank expensive terraces, shops and shopping centers. Elegant with stately Dutch Cape and Victorian architecture, together with a large crowd, mainly white students. The population of the municipality of Stellenbosch consists of 60% colored people, more than 20% whites and almost 20% black people. About 75% speak Afrikaans, 17% Xhosa and 7% English. The other side is that of a black population that mostly lives in the township "Kayamandi" on a hill on the edge of Stellenbosch.

highlights

Stellenbosch centre:

The dorpstraat is one of the oldest streets of Stellenbosch and here you can find countless monumental buildings, especially Dutch Cape architecture. One of those old buildings is Oom Samie se winkel (Samie’s shop) which has now become a major tourist attraction. The store has remained almost the same since its founding in 1904, although more is now sold than exchanged.

The store is actually a combination of a store and museum. The Burgerhuis (or Fickhuis) on the Braak (the central city park) is another good example of the Cape Dutch style. The house was built in 1797 by Antonie Fick as a residence. In 1952 the house came into the possession of the municipality of Stellenbosch while in 1961 it declared national memorableness. The citizen house houses a VOC museum and is furnished in a furniture that is original for these buildings.

Here is also the Marie on the Braak church situated as well as VOC Kruithuis where from 1777 the weapons and gunpowder was kept. There is now a small military museum in it. The Schreuderhuis is the oldest town house in South Africa.

Wine district Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is a wine district in South Africa that is best known for its red assembly wines from the noble grape varieties. The district belongs to the wine region Coastal Region on the Western Cape and is also called Boland (upper country).

The area is surrounded by mountains: Simonsberg in the northeast, Jonkershoek in the east, the Hottentots-Holland and Helderberg in the southeast and the Papagaaiberg in the west. In general, Stellenbosch is seen as the qualitatively most important wine district in South Africa. In terms of size it is the third area and in terms of age the second after Constantia.

Wine-growing has been taking place in this district since the end of the 17th century. Then Simon van der Stel established here the first farms for supplying the VOC. The first grape vines were also planted at the time. Currently there are about 150 wine companies active. There is a wine route where almost all of these wine companies are connected. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in this area.

Other attractions:

The village museum and the Toy and Miniature museum.

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history

The town Stellenbosch is named after Simon van der Stel (Van der Stels bosch), who explored the area in November 1679 when it was still called Wildenbosch, and was very impressed of its beauty and fertility. In the same year the first settlers settled there.

The many oak trees are a remnant of the great need for oak in the early days of the wine farms. The originally European winemakers were used to making oak wine barrels. Stellenbosch is therefore also called Eikestad (oaktown).

Because the oaks grew much faster than in Europe due to the South African climate, the oak quickly became spongy, and therefore unsuitable for making wine barrels.

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tips & advice (2015)

There is a train (metro trains) between Stellenbosch and Cape Town. There is also a taxi rank present (north side of the Bird street). From here you can go to Sommerset West and Paarl.

Stellenbosch - Cape Town - Hermanus: you can travel to Cape Town with the metro train for example at 08:23. Price is 10R (3rd class). You will have to get out 45 minutes later at the Belville station stop. It is a five minute walk to the long distance taxis where buses leave for Hermanus. This journey takes about 2 hours and costs 80R.

In the entire block of the Streets Plein, Kerkstraat and Dorpstraat are numerous restaurants and (food) cafes with terraces.

Name: Stumble Inn

Address: 12 Market Street

Price: 50R (camping)

Phone nr. : 021 887 4049

Website: www.stumbleinnstellenbosch.hostel.com

Content:

In a sidestreet of the Dorpstraat, in the beginning of the Marktstraat, this popular hostel is located in a beautiful colonial building. There are numerous dormitories but also doubles and a garden with grass where you can camp but also bbq or "hang around". There is free WIFI and coffee and tea.

Inside is a pool table, a TV room and a kitchen that you can use for your own use. Everything is well organized and it is clean. There is also a small bar; staff is helpful and you can book an Easy Rider Wine Tours, starting at 10:30 and ending at 17:00. Costs are 450R while you pay 10% less if you stay here.

VINE-YARDS-farms:

Spier, a very populair and huge wine farm you can visit lies on the road to Cape Town. This mega complex contains several restaurants situated in beautiful white Dutch Cape architecture. Terraces, an old garage, a shelter for birds of prey, an art studio, a beautiful pond with a large lawn where you can picnic.

You can also ride horse and stay overnight (there is a hotel). Most important of course are the wines. You can choose between 3 trial sessions here; the first is the Frans K. Smit (R90), Spier (R35) and the chocolate tasting (R65) where, in addition to the chocolate, 6 wines can be chosen. Also in the Spier tests you can choose between 6 wines where you also get a bubble of wine as dessert.

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