STELLENBOSCH

WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

The town of Stellenbosch lies in the area of the Cape Winelands, just 50 km from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town. The city name derives from that of Simon van der Stel, Governor of Cape colony, which founded Stellenbosch in 1679. In Stellenbosch settled both Dutch and Huguenots settlers, the Dutch colonists, built a system of canals crossing the city and fed a water mill, the Huguenots gave impetus to viticulture in the area, where today are produced the most renowned South African wines. The development of Stellenbosch was quick and from 1685 became the capital of a district that stretched for about 25 000 sq. km.

Stellenbosch is a beautiful town, renowned for its architectural Cape Dutch style, the main street, Dorp Street, was declared a national monument and collects many historic buildings. The main square (Braak) hosts a small military museum, located in a powder keg of VOC known as VOC Kruithuis (1777). Also on the same square facing the former town hall, Burgerhuis (1797), is the Church of Mary's on the Braak (1852). Among the museums of the city worth visiting the Village Museum (six old homes that reconstruct the daily life of past centuries) and the Stellenryck Wine Museum, dedicated to the history of viticulture. The city hosts the oldest university in South Africa, it has 10 faculties and about 25 000 students. The university official language is Afrikaans.

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