Page 39 - SA_Wine_Guide_2023_ebook

Paarl

Paarl is the third oldest town in the (Strooidak church) or one of the mu-
country and has a considerable viti- seums to view the history and subse-
cultural heritage spanning from 1687 quent development of the area. The
when Governor Simon van der Stel town was in the international spotlight
awarded titles to the first colonial farms when Nelson Mandela, who spent the
in the area. The name Paarl, derived final years of his incarceration at the
from “Perel” (meaning pearl in Dutch) Victor Verster prison, walked to freedom
refers to the large pearl shaped gran- in 1990. This also marked the beginning
ite rock on Paarl mountain. Paarl offers of the democratic rule in South Africa.
many magnificently preserved exam-
ples of Cape Dutch and Victorian build- Information offices
ings situated alongside the 12 km long
Main Road, the longest in the coun- Paarl - Wellington Tourism Office
try. Visit the oldest Dutch Reformed Tel: +27 (0)21 864 1378
Church still in use in South Africa www.paarl-wellington.co.za

SA Wine Guide