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Calitzdorp, overlooking a valley that spills like a "Horn of plenty" from the Swartberg foothills, is the fruit-bowl of Kannaland and source of the country’s finest port wines. If the Klein Karoo or Kannaland of old still lives on then its spirit is here, lingering perhaps in some vista of loft-doored cottages up to their cheeks in orchard bloom. For nowhere is the authentic character of a Klein Karoo community and the unique character of the region better preserved. In the spectacular mountains that shelter Calitzdorp on three sides, Nature too, seems unspoiled by the twentieth century. Awaiting the ecology-minded explorer is a wealth of flora, fauna and geological fascination. No wonder that so many visitors stay longer than they intended, soaking up the beauty and - why not? - a little of the wine!
This fertile valley was originally inhabited by San and Khoi people who left numerous rock paintings. Buffelsvlei, the quitrent farm on which Calitzdorp now stands, was granted in 1831 to J.J. and M.C. Calitz. Ground was donated for a church in 1853 and four years later, the foundation stone was laid and a church school established. Richard van Reenen Barry was the first pastor and served the community for 40 years. In 1910 it was decided to build a new church as the congregation exceeded 4 000. 1912 was an important year as the new church and a new school building were completed, and a start made with the building of the Standard Bank as well as the Nelsrivier Dam. Subsequently drought, the Great Flu and the collapse of the ostrich feather market all hit the area hard. However, recovery followed with the opening of the railway line (1924), electrification (1937) and the construction of a cement road from Oudtshoorn. The Calitzdorp of today still fits the description given by a visitor in 1857 - "this romantic and beautiful spot."
Summer: Hot during day - dry heat,
up to 40 C, wind from the sea every afternoon, moderate, cool evenings.
Winter: Sunny days, cold nights, occasional
frost.
Rainfall: 200 mm per year, often with
the changing of seasons
Prevailing winds: From the south in
summer, hot wind from the North in August.
Names like Buffelsvlei and Gamkarivier (Khoi for lion) recall the wild animals that once roamed the Calitzdorp district. Today one of the most endangered large mammals, the Cape Mountain Zebra (fewer than 800) is conserved in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. Calitzdorp has the highest concentration in the Southern Hemisphere of the Pale Chanting Goshawk - the only poyandrous raptor. Other bird life abounds as does a great variety of butterflies. Flowering shrubs such as Wild Pomegranate, "vygies", lye-bush, milkweed and Chinese Lantern shelter many other smaller plants and succulents including the Creassulas and unusual Haworthias.
Apart from the imposing Dutch Reformed Church - a National Monument in the New Byzantine style - the general architecture of Calitzdorp is strongly English-derived. Different styles have been adopted to different functions, e.g. the so-called Karoo-style was used for "church houses". Simplified renderings of dominant British styles e.g. Regency, Late Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian became fashionable for more permanent dwellings. Strolling through the town is an architectural adventure.
• Fresh and dried fruit • Nuts • Jams & bottled fruit • Dried fruit rolls • Biltong • Feather dusters, Ostrich eggs.
Business in Calitzdorp
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| Calitzdorp Spa
Tel: +27 (0)4437 33371 Fax: +27 (0)4437 33373 |
