One of our readers inquired about the Hertzog map which was drawn exactly 200 years ago. Historians believe that then name Herte Street comes from Willem Hertzog and not from a deer or wild buckStellenbosch's first town planHertzog's map, drawn in 1817, is truly something special, both for its technical and its artistic quali...  Continue reading

Pass or 'kloof'?The Dutch settlers at the Cape didn't use the word 'pass' to indicate a route across a mountain, but the word 'kloof'. Hence; the Olifantskloof (today the Franschhoek pass) and the Piekenierskloof, today the Piekenierskloof pass.Sir Lowry's pass, the site of the unfortunate wildfires during the past week, was ...  Continue reading

If you like mountaineering, Stellenbosch is one of the best places to live. This might explain why many street names in Stellenbosch are named after the mountains.Piekesig Street, Uitsig Street, Botmaskop Way, Simonsberg Street, Bergzicht Street.Am I ready for the mountains?Start by hiking one of the well marked Cape Nature r...  Continue reading

The jogging/cycling trail along the Eerste river recently got a new sign post. What is koloniesland and why the name?The short answer is that 'colonies lant', as it used to be spelled, means the same than 'public land' or 'state property'The flow of the Eerste RiverStellenbosch's first 'municipality' or local authority was th...  Continue reading

Stellenbosch has 4 Libertas storiesOude Libertas is a well-known amphitheater with a popular slow market.Klein Libertas is a theater complex that recently burnt down.Libertas Street is located in the neighbourhood of Karindal.Libertas Parva is a series of historic buildings in Dorp Street.Interesting facts about each:Oude Lib...  Continue reading

The peaceful neighbourhood of Karindal is one of the most beautiful in Stellenbosch, and also the closest to Jonkershoek.Located next to the Eerste river and the 'hangbrug', it is an ideal area for walking the dog or simply getting some fresh air. The two cul de sacs, Bergvliet and Otterkuil are here as well.The old Lanzerac ...  Continue reading