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Constantia and the Southern Suburbs |
Cape Town – Constantia & the Southern Suburbs
The other side of Table Mountain began its day as a rural farming community. Today it is a vital part of greater Cape Town and many attractions value that should be seen.
Rondebosch & Rosebank Area
Rhodes Memorial
The area where the Cape Town University rests today was part of the greater farm belonging to Cecil John Rhodes, a politician and business man alike.
Cecil Rhodes is one of the most prominent personalities of southern African history. He was born in England in 1853 and came to South Africa in 1870, at the age of seventeen. As the diamond rush broke out in the norther parts of the Cape, he acquired the prospecting rights for some claims and managed to make an impressive fortune in a very short time. In 1880 he established the De Beers Mining Company, 8 years later formed De Beers Consolidated Mines and later Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa operating in the Witwatersrand.
He then used his financial power mainly for political purposes. In 1890, John Cecil Rhodes became Premier of the Cape colony.
Rhodes was Prime Minister of the Cape from 1890 until he resigned on 5 January 1896.
His time in office marks the height of British expansion politics in the Cape. The colony was forcefully extended towards the north and the west. It was Rhode’s life long aim to create a British colony, which extended from Cape Town to Cairo.
Cecil Rhodes died in 1902 in Muizenberg (Cape Town) but was transported to near Bulawayo to be buried in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on a very impressive hill called World's View, where his tomb is a huge rock of granite. His memorial is situated near the University of Cape Town.
His Memorial stands on the slopes of Devils Peak, this monument offers spectacular views of the surrounding areas. This is a magnificent piece of architecture by Sir Herbert Baker.
For further information’s please visit: Rhodes Memorial
Observatory in Rosebank
The South African Astronomical Observatory was built in the 1920’s. It opens its doors to the public every Saturday for viewing.
For further information’s please visit: The SAAO
The Erma Stern Museum
The Museum is run by the Cape Town University art department and was Erma’s home, which now holds more than 200 pieces of her art. This is a must see for any art enthusiasts as it gives great insight in to one of South Africa’s most renowned artists.
For further information’s please visit: Erma Stern
University of Cape Town
Home to 15 000 students, who produced the likes of Dr. Chris Barnard who went on to perform the first heart transplant in the nearby Groot Schuur hospital. The oldest university in the country has some outstanding pieces of architecture.
For further information’s please visit: University of Cape Town.
Baxter Theater
The Baxter Theater located on Main Road is host to some of South Africa’s premier shows, musicals and classical concerts. For further information please visit: The Baxter Theatre.
Newlands & Claremont Area
Further along the edge of the mountain range is the home to Cape Town’s premier sporting Venue: the famous Newlands Rugby and Cricket Stadium. It is here at this venue where Capetonians every year get to enjoy international games.
For further information on South African cricket, please visit: SA Cricket
For further information on South African Rugby, please visit: SA Rugby
The South African Rugby Museum in Boundary Road is one of the largest rugby museums in the world with a valuable collection of mementos dating back to 1891.
If you are looking for accommodation in this area of Cape Town, South Africa, we recommend the Vineyard Hotel a four star hotel which was home to Sir and Lady Anne Barnard. This spectacular hotel built at the end of the 18th century has great views of Table Mountain, which can be enjoyed, from the hotel’s lush gardens.
For further information please visit: Vineyard Hotel
Kirstenbosch Gardens & Bishopscourt Area
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens were established in 1913 out of land left by Cecil John Rhodes to the people of South Africa. The Garden stretches over 500 hectares (1235 acres) as another 478 Hectares. There are over 6000 plant species in the gardens. The Kirstenbosch gardens have been layed out into specific plant families and paved walk ways will take you through the garden where be able to every thing from Proteas to Pelogonuims.
The Kirstenbosch botanical park has multitude of facilities from restaurants to gift shops.
History of the Land: In 1660 a hedge of wild almond (Brabejum stellatifolium) and brambles was planted to form the boundary of the colony. Sections of this hedge, known as van Riebeeck's hedge, still exist in Kirstenbosch. The forests were harvested for timber during the early years of the colony. Little is known about this early woodcutting period but overgrown tracks where the timber was hauled out of the forest and small ruins can still be found.
The origin of the name Kirstenbosch is uncertain; a number of families with the name Kirsten lived in the vicinity and somehow the area became known as Kirstenbosch (Kirsten's Forest).
The English Occupation in 1811 brought about a change. Two large grants of land were made. Colonel Bird built a house at the foot of Window Gorge, planted chestnuts and probably built the bath in the Dell. Henry Alexander built a house on the site of the old teahouse.
For further information please visit: Kirstenbosch
Bishopscourt
Home to some of Cape Town’s most influential residents, the quiet and leafy suburb of Bishopscourt is filled with stately castle style homes. It is a great area to stay while in Cape Town. For hotel accommodation in this up market neighborhood of Bishopscourt we recommend the Cellars Hohenort Hotel a magnificent five star Relais & Chateau graded hotel.
For further information please visit: Cellars Hohenort Hotel
Constantia & Wine Estates Area
Steenberg Wine Estaste
Steenberg the oldest wine farm in the area founded in 1688 produces fine wines, which can be sampled at the five star Steenberg Hotel.
The estate is also home to a championship 18 hole golf course: The course was designed and built by one of South Africa's leading golf course architects, Peter Matkovich.
The 18 hole championship golf course features four distinct areas: Wetlands, Parklands, The Cape Flats and Fynbos. With five different tees, all, from championship to junior level, can enjoy the course.
The first six holes of the course meander through gentle, manicured parkland where, in some instances, tee shots will be played off raised tee boxes amongst the vines.
The course then moves into the wetlands, which includes the testing par-three 7th hole played to a green surrounded by water. It then enters the Heathland section where white sands "islanding" the fairways are a natural hazard. The round is completed under the splendour of stately oaks.
For further information please visit: Steenberg Hotel
For Wine tasting: Steenberg Vineyards
Buitenverwachting Wine Estate
Buitenverwachting Wine Farm is situated in the heart of the historical Constantia Valley in Cape Town, South Africa. The farm boasts an exceptional range of wines as well as one of the top restaurants in the country. In addition, there are numerous other reasons to visit this beautiful farm that has been part of the rich history of the Cape since 1796.
This beautiful farm on the east-facing slopes of the magnificent Constantiaberg and barely 12km from False Bay, originally formed part of the Constantia Estate, which was founded by Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the new Dutch colony at the tip of Africa.
First sold as a 200 morgen sub-division to Cornelis Brink in 1773, Buitenverwachting changed hands all too often. And yet it flourished as a wine farm, due mainly to the 90 000 vines planted in 1825 by Ryk Arnoldus Cloete, brother of the famous Hendrik Cloete of Constantia.
From 1866, the fortunes of Buitenverwachting were inextricably linked to those of the Louw and Lategan families. One of the most colourful characters was Oom Danie Lategan, whose trademark was the freshly picked camelia he wore on his lapel every day. It was his daughter, Olivia Lategan, who was to forge the link between the Lategans and the Louws. Born at Buitenverwachting, she returned as mistress of the farm when she married George Louw.
Imbued with a sense of history, the Mueller family has retraced the roots of Buitenverwachting. The farm was lovingly restored to its former glory while extensive planting of the most selected of cultivars was initiated. The result was a maiden grape harvest of 100 tonnes - the first harvest the farm had seen in 30 years. An historic achievement that lived up to its name: Buitenverwachting - "Beyond Expectation".
A small block of Hanepoot table grapes, which still bears fruit despite its ripe old age of nearly 100 years, has been retained as a growing tribute to the heritage of Buitenverwachting.
For Wine tasting: Buitenverwachting
Klein Constantia Wine Estate:
Klein Constantia Estate is set amid trees and lush greenery on the upper foothills of the Constantiaberg. With its historic Cape Dutch Homestead and superb views across the valley and False Bay, it has frequently been described as one of the world's most beautiful vineyard locations.
These historic vineyards formed part of the original farm Constantia, whose legendary wines were sought after by the18th and 19th century European aristocracy, requested by Napoleon, and praised by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. This estate has played a major part in the re-establishment of the historic Constantia Valley as one of the finest wine-growing areas of the Cape.
Klein Constantia is owned by Duggie Jooste, whose family has been involved in the South African wine industry for four generations. Duggie bought the farm in a rundown condition in 1980 and immediately initiated a restoration and replanting program. He and his son, Lowell, handle the day-to-day running of the farm.
Winemaker Adam Mason, who joined the team in 2003, brings an injection of youth and overseas experience to the Constantia estate. He is particularly well-suited to the position as his varied career has provided a balance between old world winemaking philosophy and new world technology.
Klein Constantia specializes in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marlbrook and Vin de Constance, the re-creation of the legendary Constantia wine.
For Wine tasting: Klein Constantia
Groote Constantia Wine Estate:
Groot Constantia Estate is where the roots of the South African wine industry lie and it is the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa. It was developed by Simon van der Stel in 1685. Since then, Groot Constantia has had an uninterrupted record of being a wine farm and its name is forever linked to the most famous wines that were made in South Africa.
Today the Groot Constantia Trust, a company without gain, whose main objective is to preserve this beautiful and historic estate for posterity and to honour the name of South African wine. Groot Constantia produces a range of wines, excelling in reds as well as whites. The Estate has won numerous awards for its wines, and has done so consistently.
Today visitors to Groot Constantia are also welcomed by the tranquility and beauty, which charmed Simon van der Stel so much. The Manor House, with its elegant gables, today houses a cultural history museum, which portrays the early years of Groot Constantia.
The Cloete Cellar, dating back to 1791, the original wine cellar, houses a display of drinking vessels and wine making equipment. Its beautiful pediment gable, by sculptor Anton Anreith, recently restored, is not to be missed.
Wine may be tasted and bought at the tasting cellar at the entrance of the Estate, which also houses a souvenir and gift shop.
Simon's Restaurant at Groot Constantia, originally a bottling and maturation cellar, offers a variety of continental dishes, and caters for larger functions.
Housed in the historic core of the Estate, is the graceful Jonkershuis Restaurant offering Cape Malay, classical and contemporary cuisine, surrounded by atmosphere, architecture, vines and the views. Visit the production and maturation Cellar, where cellar tours and tasting takes place daily.
There are walks to various viewpoints. Picnic baskets can be ordered from the Restaurants. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Constantia surroundings at Groot Constantia.
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