Cultural and historical 

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Cultural Historical

Missions Stations

Mamre Moravian Mission,(off the R307, between Atlantis and Darling)

Enquiries: Tel: 021 576 1134 Fax 021 576 1579

In 1702 the Governor of the Cape Willem Adriaan van der Stel established a military and cattle post in the area to protect the European Settlers’ cattle from theft by the KhoiKhoi people.  In 1808 the region was transferred to the Moravian Missionaries, Kohyrhammer and Schmidt from Germany.  In time a thriving mission station was established.  All the buildings dating from this period have been restored and were declared National monuments in 1967.

 Pella Mission Station,(east of Mamre)

Enquiries: Tel: 021 903 5266 Fax: 021 903 9465

E-mail: franbooysen#absa.co.za

            Pella Moravian Mission Station was established in 1869.  This little village with sand-hills covered with Fynbos and unspoilt nature is a Mecca for the busy city dweller.  An abundance of bird life and small game can be viewed.  The old Miller road that was used by early traders between Mamre and Pella is being converted into a hiking trail.  Interesting sites on the route include a graveyard, the ruins of the Johannes Chapel, the castle and Kanonkop with its signal-canon

 Goedverwacht Moravian Mission (off the R399, between Piketberg and Velddrif)

Enquiries: Tel/Fax: 022 912 4410

            Goedverwacht was established in 1881 as a Moravian Mission Station.  The land originally belonged to a widowed farmer, Hendrik Schalk Burger.  After the emancipation of slaves, his slave Maniesa (originally from Bengal, India), her five children and son-in-law stayed on the farm and took care of him until his death. Maniesa and her children inherited the farm with the instructions that when all her children had died; their descendants should sell the farm and divided the proceeds.  The farm was sold to the Moravian Missionaries for 75o Pounds. Goedverwacht is situated in a fertile valley and boasts beautiful historical buildings, including a Mission Store and Water mill.  Arts and Crafts Centre and overnight accommodations are currently being developed.

 Museums & Monuments

 Hildebrand Monument, Darling, Tel: 022 492 3361

Darling Museum, Tel: 022 492 3361

Harbeeshuisie, Hopefield, Tel: 022 723 0500

French Huguenot Memorial, Saldanha, Tel: 022 714 2088

Vasco da Gama Nautical Museum, St. Helena Bay,Tel: 022 742 1906

Vasco da Gama Memorial. St. Helena Bay, Tel: 022 715 1142

Prosesfontein Monument, Vredenburg, Tel 022 715 1142

 Places of Historical Interest

 Battle of Blaauwberg Hill, off R27 Tel: 021 556 4399

Langrietvlei National Monument, Hopefield, Tel 022 783 0856

Columbine Lighthouse, Paternoster, Tel: 022 752 2705

Fisherman’s Cottages, Paternoster, Tel: 022 752 2632

World War II Coastal Cannon Battery, Saldanha, Tel: 022 702 3999

Saldanha Bay Harbour, Tel: 022 714 2088

Pelican Harbour, Velddrif, Tel: 022 783 2689

Lime Furnices, Yzerfontein, Tel; 022 451 2366

Fish House, Yzerfontein, Tel: 022 451 2366

Restored fisherman’s cottages and other buildings, Veldrif,

Tel: 022 783 1821

 Lighthouse

 Cape Columbine Lighthouse

Central Booking Office Tel: 021 449 2400

E-mail: salato@npa.co.za

Website: www.npa.co.za

            Cape Columbine Lighthouse is situated on a prominent headland 5 km from the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster. Cape Town is ± 200 km (2 hours comfortable drive) away. Commissioned in 1936, the lighthouse derives its name from the barque Columbine, which was wrecked here in 1829 during a voyage from London to New South Wales. Cape Columbine has two fully equipped, 4 star graded, self-catering cottages available that sleeps 6 persons each. A fully equipped serviced backpacker’s cottage, sleeping four, and a swimming pool are located on site. A conference facility that can accommodate at least 32 persons (banquet style) and 100 persons (cinema style) is also available. Lighthouse related memorabilia is on sale.

Fossils

 The fossil sites along the West Coast offer a fascinating glimpse into our distant past.  The fossils at Langebaanweg is the West Coast Fossil Park accumulated mainly during a period of rising sea level and this site is well known for its rich mixture of land and marine fossils dating back to between 2 and 10 million years ago.  This is one of many sites uncovered, mostly as a result of mining, and they show how life and the climate have changed through time.  The fossil record, which includes plant remains and pollens, help reconstruct past vegetation types.  It shows how and when tropical forests have been replaced by subtropical savannah, grassland and dry desert. One can learn more about this fascinating story by visiting the Iziko Museum in Cape Town and the West Coast Fossil Park at Langebaanweg.

 West Coast Fossil Park (Iziko Museums), off R45 near Vredenburg

A public-private partnership between Bhpbilliton mining company and Iziko Museums of Cape Town.

Tel: 022 766 1606 Fax: 022 766 1765

General enquiries e-mail: wcfp@iziko.org.za

Manager e-mail: pippah@iafrica.com

Opening times: Mon to Fri: 09h00 to 16h00

Sat & Sun: 09h00 to 13h00

Main Tours (one and half hours) from Monday to Sunday at 11h30.

Half hour tours also available every day during opening hours.

Lund or tea/coffee can be enjoyed at the Coffee Shop on the premises.