Join us for a historical tour of Stellenbosch. Explore the “village of the oaks" with its shady oak avenues bordered by the water furrows of the Mill Stream.
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Admire the charm and harmony of the Cape Dutch Architecture and listen to tales about the colorful inhabitants of three centuries. Discover where Simon van der Stel set up camp in the Eerste River and why it is called the Eerste River. Perhaps you will meet an angel at the "Angel Factory" or a ghost in the graveyard of the ”Moederkerk”. Three fires destroyed the village. Where did the fire of l7l0
start and who started it? The first Christian Church building in South Africa was in Stellenbosch not in Cape Town. Today it is the site of the oldest hotel in South Africa, d'Ouwe Werf and not all the graves have been moved! Why did Stellenbosch's first minister, Hercules van Loon, commit su***de? Dorp Street, “the wagon way to Cape Town” is the oldest residential street in South Africa today. It is still the wagon way to Cape Town, only the wagons have changed somewhat! Historical buildings surround three sides of The Braak (village green) During the 1809 and 1811 earth tremor, people rushed out of their houses onto the Braak. The Braak was already proclaimed by Simon van der Stel, the eleventh governor, as an open space for the people and as a military parade ground. Stellenbosch University has produced many famous South Africans - Prime Ministers and Sportsmen. Rugby and cricket was played on the Braak. Stellenbosch, synonymous with rugby, but the first Stellenbosch Springbok - Nico Theunissen - was a cricketer. In 1602 the VOC was established by the Here Sewentien. Four hundred years later the “Kruithuis” on the Braak proudly flies the flag of the VOC. Rhenish Institute, the oldest girl's boarding school in South Africa celebrated 150 years in 2010. Rhenish was the first school to teach Domestic Science and Needlework. We invite you to join us to hear many more interesting facts and fables about the past while experiencing the present in "The Eikestad".
"There's beauty around every corner. You just have to be open to finding it."
The Roosbroeck's from Brussels spent a few hours in our town today. Roeland took some lovely photos as this will be their return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.
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PAPEGAAI BERG: A Beacon in our town...
Did you know that in the towns of Domburg and Westkapelle in the Netherlands there was a tradition where men would put wooden parrots on poles? ( photo 2&3)
The best shooter of the day received a price. The reason for choosing parrots was because the parrot was an exotic, beautiful bird; loved to be used during the Crusades in Europe.
It was part of a shooting festival ("schuttersfeesten") which was followed by traditional dancing and walking through the streets.
To celebrate the founder of Stellenbosch, Simon van der Stel's birthday on the 14 th October, men would start the shooting on this hill ( first photo of Papegaai Berg)
The people of Stellenbosch gathered on this ( now declared Heritage site): De Braak, where traditional folks dancing and activities were part of this old festival.
( last 3 photos of this festival was taken on the 14 th October 1976!)
HELLO SPRING🌸
"The world is not in your books and maps. It is out there!" - Gandalf-The Hobbit.
The journey is the destination.
Start. Your. Climb.
Now is the right time for an adventure.
Smile. Sparkle. Shine.
Click on the link in our bio to book a walking tour with us!
Typical Workday 🚶♀️
A group from England making the most of just a few hours in our town. Take with you the memories and come back again for more!
is here. Come join us in Stellenbosch for great deals. Don't forget about the Wine Festival this weekend (3 & 4 Aug) brought to you by the Stellenbosch Wine Routes. While you here join us for a Stellenbosch Walking Tour.
Adventureshop was established in 2000 in Stellenbosch. We specialize in a variety of bicycle and e-b
Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated to honour the birthday of a man whose actions transformed the 20th century.
We honour his lifelong fight for peace, freedom and equality.
🇿🇦
IAML Congress in Stellenbosch.
Attendees of the Congress enjoying a leisurely historical walk through our town.
This International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres is the first held on the African continent -right here in the heart of the Stellenbosch University!
To all attendees of IAML 2024: Enjoy our town of the great Oaks. Make it count🎶
Great news! 🤩 Absa Cape Epic riders have voted Stellenbosch as the best stage location of the 2024 race. 🚵♂️👏🏅
Happy Father's Day
"Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventures, story-tellers and singers of song" - Pam Brown-
Happy Youth Day
"Be the scriptwriters of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a brighter future" -Nelson Mandela-
HAPPY YOUTH DAY!!!
Very fortunate to have been part of the Annual Social Justice Walk in Stellenbosch together with Tuli Mandonsela and to raise funds to clear student debt.
"When life gives you a rainy day, wear cute boots and jump in the puddles"
Click on the link in our bio and come and see what beauty there is in a rainy day. Take time to look at your world.
Photo courtesy
STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY(US): Coat of Arms - Pectora Roborant Cultus Recti ( A Sound Education Strengthens the Spirit)
On the magnificent US Campus Square, a big statue of Mr. Jannie Marais can be seen. On the dealth of Mr Marais in May 1915, the College received a Legacy of 100 000 pounds. This provided the necessary financial sustainability to establish a University.
Did you know that we also do guided walks on campus? Click on the link in our bio and join one of these tours today!
"The aim of Art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." - Aristotle-
Strijdom van der Merwe, our Landscape Artist's latest work - DEMARCATION - is on exhibition .
Strijdom has drawn his inspiration from road markings; as there is always a starting point which affects the outcome of one's undertaking!
In his own words: "I realized that there are numerous layers waiting to be discovered. Within these marks, you can uncover the history of past years, fault lines, corrections, and ultimately the present, which serves as the guidance we are meant to follow. For me, it became a metaphor for the layers and directions that shape our lives over time. "
Strijdom van der Merwe is here, as an Artist in our town, to live out loud! On our journey through life, we are inspired by his work.
They cannot resist the lure of Stellenbosch!!
A sparkling sunshine day in the streets of Stellenbosch today with Thomas, Daniël and Christiaan.
Time is precious. They spent it wisely; on a Stellenbosch On Foot tour.
Click on the link in our bio and book your tour today!
ENGLISH OAK: Before and After ( 1812- 2024)
The first Oaks of Stellenbosch were planted in 1860 as part of High Commissioner Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein's request to preserve the indigenous trees and plant " Vaderlandts Houwt" on all land allocated to the citizens.
However, devastating fires of 1710, 1763 and 1875 destroyed many of the Oak avenues. The oldest survivors were planted in 1812. This tree is one of them and has champion tree status under the National Heritage Resources Act.
On the night of 7 April 2024 a destructive storm hit our town and this massive tree had fallen. The tree has been a special landmark in our town - never to be seen again...
Mike and Sue Collins from Cambridge, England in front of the Gavin Collins gallery in town.
The artist Gavin Collins paints with oil on Belgium linen. His two galleries are in Kerk- and Dorp Straat, Stellenbosch. His magnificent work tells the story of how he works with light, form and big proportion.
Click on the link in our bio and join us for a leisurely walk through our town. We share the history of our town of the great Oaks and show you all the gems in our town.
"A Street that you have never visited is a book that you have never read! You never know what you are missing!" -Mehmet Ildan-
Grab your coat, and get your hat. Leave your worry on the doorstep. Just direct your feet. To the sunny side of the street!
Don't waste time...click on the link in our bio and book a tour with us. The Streets are waiting...🚶♀️🍃
"Walk tall as the trees, live strong as the mountains, be gentle as the spring winds, keep the warmth of the summer sun in your heart and the great spirit will always be with you" - Native American proverb-
This is my wish today for my guests:
Ian and Paula from Sydney and the lovely Henze family from Switserland.
Seen here in front of the oldest 1812 English Oak, which has fallen in a severe storm 3 weeks ago. Never to be forgotten: our gigantic Oak; a historical landmark which grazed our town for over 200 years.
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life -- and travel -- leaves marks on you." -Anthony Bourdain-
Last year, Martin and Sue Dryden from St Clément in Jersey, went on a Stellenbosch On Foot tour...and they came AGAIN !! So good to see them visiting our town for the second time- exploring even more history and beautiful sights with me.
Thank you for your friendship. You are leaving footprints behind. Take with you the memories and be Blessed in the wonderful Ministry work you are doing in Jersey.
Until we meet again...
47 Church Street
Stellenbosch
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A River Runs Through...some water activities on tour today! #visitstellenbosch #eersterivier #walkingtours
Mr "Chicken"🐥 and Michael Fiederer from Duisburg on tour today! So much fun in the sun Stellenbosch On Foot Michael Fiederer ( fiedi) #tours #tourists #spotthechicken #bethere #walkingtour #laughter #enjoy #FunInTheSun
Our beautiful town🚶♀️❤ @stellenboschonfoot #visitstellenbosch #warmheartstellenbosch🔥 #townofoaks #footstepsinstellenbosch #lovestellenbosch #moments #thingstodo #betherenow #postcardplaces #discover#explore #wheretofindme
"Ring the bells that still can ring.Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything.That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen- The Dutch Reformed Mother Church in Stellenbosch is the Neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece of Charl Otto Häger from Dresden in Germany. It was completed in 1863. The history of the church has been well documented since 1686, over its 332 years of existence. The original mahogany cabinet housing the organ pipes and the front pipes of the old organ from 1863 were retained. The present set of bells were imported from Germany in 1983. @stellenboschonfoot #visitstellenbosch #church #architecturalstyle #historicalplace #heritage #historyinpictures #proudlystellenbosch #letthebellsring #bells #photography #architecture #discoverstellenbosch #letsgothere #travel_captures #mindfulness #wonderful_places #wanderluster #tourism
"Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past, and link us directly with the flow, and rhythm of the natural world" - Ted Turner- The Eerste Rivier originates from the mountains of Jonkershoek and descends into the town of Stellenbosch. In the year 1679, Simon van der Stel, the founder of Stellenbosch, named the first river he saw in this area, the Eerste Rivier. After the recent rains, the sound of the water is like music in the ears. Click on the link in our bio to book a tour. @stellenboschonfoot #visitstellenbosch #warmheartstellenbosch #townofoaks #river #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #walkingtour #reflection #beauty #explore #instarainyday #picoftheday #wowplacestogo🌎 #my_favourite_place #autumninstellenbosch #hometown #wonderful_places_to_go #travelinspiration
Stap die Camino - Vellies na die Vreemde
Rijks Drive
