HISTORICAL BUILDINGS The village and and district have several attractive historical buildings, of which seven have been declared Historical Buildings prior to 1980. These include: the original farm house of Jan Disselsvalleij (2 Park Street), the Officers' Residence between 1808 and 1858 (5 Park Street), the Old Goal Building (Museum), the Flower Church (Old D.R. Church) as well as an 1820 Settlers house, situated behind the Criterion in the Main Road.

Tourist  Attractions in Clanwilliam

Clanwilliam, Olifants River
Resting at the foot of the Cederberg Mountain range, a little over two hours’ drive from Cape Town, lies the little settlement of Clanwilliam. Regarded as the only town in the world where rooibos is planted and educated, it is also famous for its nearby made veldskoens or leather shoes.

Clanwilliam is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa and historical walks through the town centre take in seven national monument that include the original farmhouse of Jan Disselsvalleij - the town was initially his namesake before it became Clanwilliam in 1814 - the old jail construction, now a museum, and an 1820 Settlers house. Pertinent to the town’s history is the Clanwilliam cedar, after which the Cederberg Mountain range is named. This magnificent tree, with its durable wood and particular fragrance, is now on the brink of extermination due largely to global warming and the increase in the frequency of fires in the area - few saplings every reach seed-bearing maturity. 

To experience first-hand the paintings and motifs of the Bushmen, the Clanwilliam Living Landscape Project, a local empowerment programme, offers a rock art trail on which trained guides facilitate an exploration of the paintings as a journey across the countryside.

Wuppertal, just 72 km southeast of Clanwilliam, has been a Moravian mission station since 1865 and the little village today is little distorted with an old thatched church, a store and neat little cottages lining the main street, making a visit worthwhile.

CLANWILLIAM WILD FLOWER SHOW
Showcasing the inimitable flora exclusive to the Clanwilliam district and Ramskop Nature Reserve while also raising public awareness on protection issues, the Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show has become a standing tradition for flower fanatics since its inception in 1972.

The Rock Widerness Of The Cedarberg
This mighty rock wilderness lies within the Clanwilliam district. Access to the Cedarberg is easy. There is a gravel turnoff 27km from Citrusdal. The next 16km is a jagged route with steep gradients through the difficult Kriedouw Pass, over the Nieuwoudt Pass. A magnificent view awaits you at the summit. To your left are the Krakadouw Mountains and in front is the high Middelberg ridge. Down in the valley below is the forestry station of Algeria.

Head east from Clanwilliam to climb the Pakhuis (Pack house) Pass. You will drive past amazing rock shapes and a grave within a Bushmen rock shelter. It is well worth stopping at the picnicking site to admire the gallery of Bushmen paintings. Eighteen kilometers after the summit of the Pass, there is a turnoff south to the Bidouw Valley and Wuppertal.

The Cedarberg derives its name from a variety of cedar trees, which grows at an altitude of between 1067 and 1372 meters. Today the mountain range is a proclaimed wilderness area. It is a superb recreational area with caves, waterfalls, stunning view sites and surprising formations such as the Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross is a pillar standing 9 meters high, resembling a worshipping pole of some forgotten religion. Climbing the nearby Wolfberg Cracks is a truly unforgettable experience.

The pride of the Cedarberg is the lovely white snow Protea (Protea cryophila) which grows only above the snowline and blooms around March.

The fiery colours of sandstone formations, crystal clarity of the air and magnificent wild flowers give the Cedarberg its truly single atmosphere.

ALGERIA
George Bath, the first forester in the Cedarberg, founded Algeria Forestry Station in 1904. The general appearance of the area reminded him of the Atlas Mountains of North America.He built a number of mountain huts in the area and named the beautiful Crystal Pools in the heart of the range.

In the trees around Algeria, a fine camping ground is enhanced by the river, which forms a natural swimming pool. Many excursions into the range such as climbing Sneeukop, the Crystal Pools and strange Wolfberg Arch and Cracks begin here. Permits for all walks and hikes must be obtained in advance from the Nature Conservator's office at Algeria. (Tel +27 27 482 2812)

The wooded and open slopes surrounding the Algeria settlement are also home to more than 30 species of mammal, particularly baboon, Klipspringer, Reebok, steenbok, duiker, grysbok and dassie. Sightings of leopard and aardwolf have also been recorded.

WUPPERTAL
Wuppertal is a most attractive little oasis in a very rugged wilderness, 72km southeast of Clanwilliam. This picturesque little place has been a Moravian mission station since 1865, although its origins are actually Rhenish. The name "Wuppertal" derives from the Wupper River in Germany, from where two Rhineland missionaries, Theobald von Wurmb and Johan Gottlieb Leipoldt (grandfather of renowned writer C. Louis Leipoldt) arrived in the Cape in 1829 to spread the Word among the indigenous people.

The two missionaries settled among the seven Khoikhoi families in the valley and concentrated on their spiritual upliftment as well as to encourage farming. The population swelled shortly after slavery was abolished in 1838 and many freed slaves arrived from nearby farms.

The village today consists of an old thatched Church, a store, and three terraces of neat thatched-roofed little cottages and a meandering street with water flowing in furrows.

A great deal of productive activity takes place which surprises any traveler descending the steep pass into the valley.

Excellent velskoen (known throughout the country) are made and tobacco is dried and worked into rolls (roltabak). The other main products of the area are dried fruit, dried beans and rooibos tea. At Christmas time there is a festival of carol singing at the mission and the mountains echo to the voices of the people of Wuppertal.

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