Excelsior
Municipality
District Municipality: Motheo District Municipality
Attractions
Claerhout Festival 13 - 15 February 2009.
Contact:
Sonja van Wyk 083-235-3763
Rina Els 073-338-1784
Frans Claerhout
Frans Martin Claerhout was born 1919 in Pittem (Belgium). He came to South Africa in 1946, and died 4 July 2006.
He was a self taught painter working in oil, pastel, ink, pencil and charcoal. As expressionist he focused on landscapes and figures, showing off warm colours, impasto and elongated human forms.
Claerhout's paintings were exhibited South Africa, Europe (Belgium, Germany, UK) and North America (Canada, USA.
Architecture
The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1925 and an example of typical Freestate sandstone construction.
The Methodist Church is also built with the same sandstone materials.
Koranna Hiking Trail
The Koranna Hiking Trail traverses the Koranna Mountain.
The overnight facilities on this hiking trail are built from sandstone in the Victorian style.
4x4 Trail
The 4x4 trail at Excelsior was voted one of the Top 10 in the country.
Sport
Hiking, abseiling, mountain biking, 4x4 trails, mountain climbing, hunting, fishing.
History
Excelsior was established in 1911 on the farms Excelsior and Sunlight as an agricultural centre.