Swellendam in South Africa
Accommodations, Attractions and Info
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Swellendam, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains and the third oldest town in South Africa, was founded in 1745 as a military outpost by the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies Company, as it was difficult to control the growing number of farmers settling in the area. A magistrate was appointed and his Drostdy was built on the banks of the Koringlands River. The |
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district was named Swellendam, after the governor Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife Helena ten Damme. The town was on the old wagon route from the Cape to the eastern areas, which made it the ideal replenishment stop to stock up on food and do wagon repairs. By the end of the century, the Swellendammers became dissatisfied with the Dutch East India Company, as they were neither protected nor compensated from Cape Town for harrassment in the east by Xhosa gangs and Bushman cattle thieves at home. For a few brief months they established an independent Republic, which lasted until the British occupied the Cape in 1795. |
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Swellendam has numerous
buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries with styles that vary
between Cape Dutch, Cape Georgian and Cape Victorian. |
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Swellendam accommodation |
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Bontebok National Park - 6km from
Town |
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What to see and do in and around Swellendam |
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Church Square - In Town |
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Distances to and from Swellendam in kilometres |
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Beaufort West - 450 |
Durban - 1455 |
Kimberley - 950 |
Oudtshoorn - 280 |
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