The Artist’s Journey

The Artist’s Journey

Discover the earliest forms of patterns and symbols

Vrede” is Afrikaans for peace, and if it’s peace that you're after, then its Vredenburg you need to visit.

It wasn’t all peace and quiet to start off with though. In the 18th century, a freshwater spring between the farms Heuningklip and Witteklip caused strife between the respective farm owners.

The site became known as Twisfontein (“quarrel spring”), later renamed Prosesfontein (“lawsuit spring”). The Dutch Reformed Church came to the rescue in 1875 when it built the town’s first church near the disputed spring and promptly renamed the town Vredenburg (“peaceful town”). Problem solved.

These days, Vredenburg is the transportation and commercial hub of the Cape West Coast.

The only argument you’re likely to have in modern-day Vredenburg, since the Twisfontein Monument is today the sole reminder of that water tiff, is in agreeing on which activities you and your travel mates plan to indulge in golf, horse riding, bird watching or paintball?

The town is located 12km inland from Saldanha Bay on the Cape Columbine Peninsula, 138km north of Cape Town.

For more information, please visit; www.capewestcoastpeninsula.co.za

Highlight

  • West Coast Fossil Park
1
Cape Town
0km to next stop

Cape Town is a fusion of diversity. It is a city overflowing with attractions for visitors interested in history, art, culture and a beautiful environment.

Read more See map Cape Town
2
!Khwa ttu | Yzerfontein
53km to next stop

!Khwa ttu is a San Heritage Centre which is located near Yzerfontein. At !Khwa ttu San culture ancient and recent history is presented through a series of exhibitions, videos and presentations.

Read more See map Yzerfontein
3
West Coast Fossil Park | Langebaan
95km to next stop

The West Coast Fossil Park has an exceptional interpretation centre displaying well-preserved fossil remains of the animals that inhabited the area about 5-million years ago.

Read more See map Langebaan
4
Elands Bay Cave | Elands Bay
23km to next stop

Breathtaking San and Khoe rock art have been found in the Elands Bay Cave in the hills above the Elands Bay harbour, about 5km from the centre of the village.

Read more See map Elands Bay
5
Diepkloof Rock Shelter | Piketberg
81km to next stop

An exceptional collection of over 400 intentionally engraved ostrich eggshell, dated to around 60 000 years ago, is amongst the earliest known examples of storage and transport vessels anywhere in the world.

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6
Riel dancing and living culture
36km to next stop

Experience an authentic riel dance, a cultural expression of courtship rituals and joyous dance moves practised by descendants of San and Khoe people.

Read more See map Clanwilliam
7
Sevilla Rock Art Trail | Clanwilliam
71km to next stop

The Sevilla Rock Art trail is on Traveller’s Rest Farm, 34 km from Clanwilliam, on the R364 regional route over the spectacular Pakhuis Pass. The 5km-round trail along the Brandewyn River includes nine fascinating rock art sites, which are some of the finest examples of San rock art in the region.

Read more See map Clanwilliam
8
Truitjieskraal | Matjiesrivier Reserve
256km to next stop

The Cederberg is dotted with rock art, but Truitjieskraal, in the Cape Nature Matjiesrivier Reserve, is arguably one of the most impressive sites. Information boards along the Truitjieskraal interpretive trail provide insights into both the San and Khoe cultures, while at the same time educating visitors on the unique ecosystem surrounding the rock art with its various species of animals and plants.

Read more See map Clanwilliam