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| Graaff-Reinet | ||
| province | Eastern Cape | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 35.000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 756 m | |
| Tourist info | 27 49 892-4248 www.graaffreinet.com | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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A touch of history wafts around the old houses, the small church and the busy main street of Graaff-Reinet. As one of the oldest cities in South Africa, it is littered with listed buildings from the Wilhelminian era and has its very own flair. The one nearby Valley of Desolation With its desert atmosphere, it attracts thousands of visitors every year.
background
Graaff-Reinet is after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam the fourth oldest city in South Africa (the oldest in the Eastern Cape) and was founded in 1786. Namesake were Cornelius Jacob van der Graaff and his wife Hester Cornelia, a native Reinet. Graaff was the head of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape when it was founded. The city helped the early Dutch settlers fight on the outermost border of the colony. Law, religion and education found their way into the region with the construction of administrative buildings and churches. To this day, Graaff-Reinet has retained its founding charm and offers most of South Africa's national monuments (over 220) in one place. On February 6, 1795, the first republic in South Africa was proclaimed here. The Boers of the region renounced the colonial administration and the people of Swellendam did the same in the same year. The independence of the townspeople only lasted a year and a half until August 22, 1796.
In the past, the region not only lived from agriculture, Graaff-Reinet was also a direct access route to the mines in the interior of the country. Not much of that remains and so the local economy is now limited to the breeding of merino sheep and angora goats, ostrich farms and a few Game ranges.
getting there
By plane
The nearest commercial airports are in Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and George. Graaff-Reinet airport (ICAO code: FAGR) has an approx. 1800m long tarred runway and is mainly used for private planes during the hunting season. A scheduled service is not handled via this airport. There is a flying school for light aircraft that Eagle Wings Microlight School, who is happy to provide further information and organize sightseeing flights.
By train
Rosmead - Klipplaat railway line. This route over the Lootsberg Pass was opened in 1879.
In the street
Of Bloemfontein from one takes off Colesberg most likely the N9 above Middelburg. Coming from Port Elizabeth it's about the R75 for about 260 km Uitenhage, Wolvefontein and Jbansenville past. You take those from George too N9 (this time coming from the south) and drives about 340 km Uniondale, Willowmore and Aberdeen past. From the place Beaufort West (210 km) can be reached via the R61 to Aberdeen and from there via the N9 to Graaff-Reinet.
mobility
The city is small and easy to walk around. There is no public transport and you should find a parking space without any problems.
Tourist Attractions
- Graaf-Reinet Pharmacy. Old pharmacy from the middle of the 19th century. Some of the Victorian furnishings are still in use today.
- Reinet House Museum. The most visited museum in the whole province. The building, built in Cape Dutch style in 1811, has a vine planted in 1870 that is still bearing grapes today.
- Hester Rupert Art Museum. Originally built as a church in 1821, it now houses contemporary South African art.
- Pierneef Art Museum. Church built in 1880, today contains the Pierneef art collection.
- The Old Residensie Museum. Arms and War Museum.
- Urquart House Museum. Named after a previous mayor of the city, it represents the Victorian era with the corresponding interior.
- Grotekerk. The Grotekerk (large church) of the Dutch Reformed Congregation was built in 1885-87 and is largely a replica of the cathedral of Salisbury in England. 1200 people can be seated in the church, where services are held three times a month.
activities
- At a City walk you can breathe in the atmosphere of the city wonderfully. The residents are very friendly and look forward to every guest. So you can take a look in every small shop or lovingly restored restaurant and just let everything sink in.
- Ingomso Tours offers a two hour Township tour through the city's Xhosa Township. One moves on foot, with a township resident as a guide. In addition to the kindergarten, the library and, on Sundays, the church, you can visit the house in which Robert Sobukwe, the first president of the Pan Africanist Congress, grew up. Finally, you visit a family in their house with tea and bread.
- Very close to the city (14 km), im Camdeboo National Park, is that Valley of Desolation, a great plain of lonely wasteland. It is especially nice to visit in the evening when the sun casts long shadows. A long serpentine road leads to a mountain on the edge of the valley. When you reach the top of the mountain you have a fantastic view, e.g. of the Spandaukoppewhich was probably named by an early settler of German origin. Some hiking trails also start at the parking lot. Since the view is very popular, many minibuses go up there every day, but the view is worthwhile early in the morning and in the afternoon. If you don't want to drive yourself, the travel agency near the church can organize a tour for you. You can also visit other parts of Camdeboo National Park. Different antelopes, the rare mountain zebra, buffalo and a wide variety of birds want to be discovered.
shop
Most of the stores are in the Church Street and the Caledon Street, always close to the Dutch Reformed Church in the city center. At the corner Parsonage and Church Street there are two small souvenir shops, "Out of Africa" and "African Adventure". The bookstore "McNaughton's Bookshop" near Absa Bank in the Church Street not only has a large selection of books, but also maps and information material.
kitchen
There are a few small restaurants in Graaff-Reinet, most of which offer good local cuisine. Of course, alcoholic drinks should not be missing. Due to the dry vegetation, agaves grow very well here and because of this there is also the only tequila distillery outside of Mexico. Since the term Tequila is protected, the products from Graaff-Reinet are called Agave Silver and Agave gold sold. Another specialty is that Karoo Cabernet. It's not a red wine, but a mix of brandy and cola. But of course there is also real Cabernet and other red wine from growing areas of the Karoo.
Here is a selection of possible restaurants:
- 1 Gordon's Restaurant, 100 Cradock St.. Tel.: 27 (0)49 892 4575, Email: [email protected]. Together with Andries Stockenstrom Guesthouse.
- Coldstream Restaurant, on the east side of the church.
- The coral tree, Somerset Street, one block west of Church Street.
- Wimpy. Burger chain near the Spar supermarket in the Caledon Street. Also good for a hearty breakfast.
nightlife
accommodation
- Drosty, Church Street 30. The famous Drosty from 1807 is the ideal place to spend a night in Graaff-Reinet's style.
- De Erf Manor House (3 km outside of Graaff-Reinet). Tel.: 27 (0)49 893-0313.
- Le Jardin Backpacking
- Villa Reinet Guest House, 83 Somerset Street. Tel.: 27 (0)49 892 5525. Check-in: 14:00.Check-out: 10:00.
Work
Most of the younger residents are leaving the city to find work on the coast. Therefore there are few male residents between 20 and 45 years of age.
security
Graaff-Reinet is safe and crime is rather unknown.
health
Practical advice
- Tourist Information, Church Street 13A, P.O. Box 153, Graaff-Reinet, 6280. Tel.: 27 49 892 4248.
There is a post office near the church. Internet cafes are also available on site. One is right next to the tourist information office.
trips
- Mountain Zebra National Park. The national park is in reach.
- Nieu-Bethesda. 53 kilometer (s) from Graaff-Reinet, with the "Owl House", "Fossil Interpretation Center", as well as some shops and cafes.
- Agave distillery
- Kalkop meteorite crater
Web links
- www.graaffreinet.com - Official website of the city
- Camdeboo National Park - Official website of the National Park Administration
