Paarl

As a Wineroute destination, situated less than 40 minutes drive from Cape Town, Paarl is a favorite tourist destination, yet Paarl’s magnificent countryside has so much to offer , five mountain passes, a bounty of fruit orchards and beautiful vineyards, with the Berg River winding its way through and giving life to this fertile valley. Add to this a rich cultural heritage and diversity of historic buildings throughout the town.

Few towns are blessed with a landscape this dramatic, where the massive granite mountain contrasts with its picturesque fynbos vegetation, the famous Paarl Rock set among ancient wild olives, rock candle woods and wagon trees. Paarl Mountain offers several viewpoints, from where you have a panoramic view towards Table Mountain and the sea in the west, and the Boland Mountain ranges in the east.

Visitors to Paarl are presented with a vast variety of attractions, scenic drives and hiking trails, outstanding dining possibilities and wine tasting opportunities, with most wine estates that belong to the wine route arranging tours for visitors and provide opportunities to meet the wine makers in person.

Paarl proudly accommodates the Headquarters of the South African wine industry, the Co-operative Wine Growers Association, better known as the KWV.

History

In 1657 Abraham Gabemma set out inland to search for new meat resources. It was after a rainstorm when he saw a mountain in the distance, with a giant granite rock which glistened like a wet pearl in the sun. He named the mountain "Peerleberg" (Pearl Mountain), which later became Paarl Mountain and the town that evolved at its base was named Paarl.

It was 30 years after the discovery of this fertile valley that farms were given to pioneers, shortly before the arrival of the Huguenots in 1688. The pioneers started with their work and in 1699 the first water mill was put to use. The first church, the "Strooidak Kerk" (Thatch Roof Church) was consecrated in 1805, and today it is the oldest church building still in use. The gables are regarded as the most attractive of their kind to have survived.

The Old Parsonage "De Oude Pastorie" was built in 1787 and is one of the most precious architectural treasures of Paarl, situated below the impressive "Toringkerk" (Tower Church). It was bought by the municipality in 1937 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Huguenots, and today houses the Oude Pastorie Museum, which displays an interesting collection of Cape Dutch furniture and silver and copperware.

Although Paarl is not the oldest town after Cape Town, it did have a significant influence on South Africa's history. In 1840 it became the first town to have a municipality. Paarl was the major supplier of wagons and played an important role in the Great Trek, which led to the discovery of the rest of the country.

The Wagonmaker's Museum tells of one of the most prosperous industries in historic Paarl. Wagon making developed from a number of one-man workshops into a full industry with large factories. Especially during the Anglo Boer War and the years following that, the factories worked around the clock to meet the demands.

The intriguing Afrikaans Language Monument was inaugurated on the 10th of October 1975, to represent the influence that the residents of Paarl had on the development of the Afrikaans Language

Another museum well worth a visit is thePaarl Museum. The original building was used to accommodate eleven ministers from the Strooidak Kerk between 1715 and 1872. In 1872 the property was sold to the Thom family and remained in their possession until 1924. It was then used as a boys' hostel by Paarl Gymnasium High School, until it was purchased by the Paarl Town Council. The building was renovated in 1939 and opened as the Huguenot Museum. The name changed in 1969 to the Old Parsonage Museum, and again on March 1st, 1995 to its present name, the Paarl Museum.

The museum focuses on the history of Paarl and displays a fascinating collection of Cape Antiques, artifacts, documents and photographs, which reflect the cultural diversity and development of the town.

More information please feel free to contact us at info@ebubeleni.com we can facilitate your arrangements, and take you on Guided Tour of Paarl and the Wine Route.   

Transfers to and from your B & B, Guesthouse, Lodge or Hotel, should you not be staying with us at "Ebubeleni", can be arranged.