DISCOVER
A trip back in time
unique new self-guided historic route launches in Piketberg
A fascinating new self-guided tour has been launched in the town of Piketberg in the Western Cape, which takes visitors on a journey back in time to experience the rich history and historic buildings of this beautiful village. The Piketberg Historical Route takes visitors to the many historical buildings dotted throughout the town, which date back as far as the 1880s and is a wonderful outing for young and old.
About the route
Start your tour at the Piketberg Tourism offices at the Winkelshoek Complex, just off the N7 highway where you can collect a map of the historical route and find out all you need to know for your visit. While 50 | September 2021
you are there, be sure to grab a fresh traditional Roosterkoek and coffee to fuel up for the route ahead. You will then make your way to the impressive neo-gothic DutchReformed Church, which was built in 1882. The town developed around the church building as it was one of the first buildings in the village. The architect and builder was Carl Otto Hager, a well-known church architect of the time. He also drew the plans for the old Lutheran church and the rebuilding of the Mother Church, both in Stellenbosch, as well as several other churches erected in the second half of the 1800s. The church was built with Table Mountain sandstone,
excavated in the mountain to the west of Piketberg. Members of the congregation transported the building blocks to the site as well as other building materials to help keep the cost down. Just over the road from the Church lies points two and three of the tour – number 5 Kerk Straat, which was built in 1906 as a business premises, and the Commercial Hotel, which was built in 1898. Both buildings boast beautiful cast iron balustrades and 'broekie lace' – in keeping with the period in which they were built. The commercial hotel still features furniture which was shipped to South Africa from England and delivered to Piketberg by ox-wagon. The hotel has a www.rovesa.co.za
