Calvinia

Calvinia is named after the Swiss religious reformer Jean (or John) Calvin (1509–1564).

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Calvinia is a regional town in the Great Karoo on the Oorlogskloof River, just south of the Hantam Mountains. South of the town is the peak Rebunie (1'657m). The Roggeveld Mountains lie to the southeast. Bloukrans Pass is roughly 10Km south of the town on the R355 to Ceres or Touws River. Botterkloof Pass is on the R364 (off the R27) south on the way Clanwilliam. Nieuwoudtville is about 70Km to the west on the R27, while Williston is about 105Km to the east on the same route. Hantam is 45Km to the north on the R355, and Loeriesfontein is 90Km away.

Roggeveld Mountains

The Roggeveld Mountains, southeast of Calvinia, stretch eastward to Sutherland. This is a very desolate area with only about 200mm of rainfall in a normal year. High peaks in the range reach about 1400m.

Hantam Mountains

The Hantam Mountains (1'672m) stretch east-west north of Calvinia. The name Hantam is derived from the Khoi word !Han=ami, which apparently refers to a plant with edible roots (Pelargonium bifolium, in Afrikaans uintjies). It probably means "where the red bulbs grow".

Calvinia Museum

The Calvinia Museum is situated in an old Jewish synagogue which shows old photographs, and unusual specimens such as 4-legged ostriches and genetically strange sheep. Mounted sheep (Cape fat-tailed, Merino, Dorper) that relate the history of the area can be seen. There is a cedarwood horsemill.

The museum was built in 1920 in the art deco style.

Architecture

There are restored 19th century homes to be viewed.

Dutch Reformed Church

The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1899 in the neo-gothic style, designed by Gaysford, an architect from Potchefstroom. It is a National Monument.

Hantam House

Hantam House was built in Cape Dutch style (with a concave-convex gable) by Field Cornet A van Wyk in 1854. It still has its original cedarwood woodwork. Today it is an exclusive coffeehouse where traditional delicacies are served.

Die Dorphuis

The Dorpshuis was built in 1855 in the Victorian style. In 1890 the reed roof was replaced with a corrugated iron roof and two gables were added. The house is a National Monument.

Star gazing

Calvinia has 80% starlight at night.

Akkerendam Nature Reserve

The Akkerendam Nature Reserve, 4Km from the centre of town, offers unique flowers, a hiking trail and picnic spots. Two hiking trails cross the Hantam mountains. The indigenous sterboom (Cliffortia arborea) can be seen here. These plants grow hundred years and older.

Photos: Dr Gideon Rossouw, taken in on the farm Blesfontein near the Swaarweerberge.

Bird watching: 65 species of bird.

Namaqualand spring Flowers

Depending on rains, around September and October the veld is covered with spring flowers.

Flowers in bloom.
Photos: courtesy of Dr Gideon Rossouw

4x4 Routes

There are several 4x4 routes along the escarpment.

Tankwa Karoo National Park

The Tankwa Karoo National Park is 85Km south of Calvinia.

History

The earliest known people living in the area were Khoi and San people. The first Europeans in the area were farmers who took their livestock to the area in the 1750s.

Farmers received tracts of land in 1813. In 1847 a Dutch Reformed Church was established and the region of the church's domain was called Hantam. The next year, in 1848, Abraham van Wyk (a member of the church council) bought a portion of the farm Hoogekraal (Ramskop) for 60'000 gulden for the purpose of building a church and establishing a town.

The first reverend, N.J. Hofmeyr, proposed that the church be named ofter the Reformed Protestant theologian John Calvin. The town was named in 1851 as Calvinia. It became a municipality in 1904.

Jean (or John) Calvin (1509–1564)

Climate

Today's Weather Report for Calvinia

This is an area with very low rainfall in the arid Karoo. Natural water in the area often has a peculiar smell.

Calvinia is int he Great Karoo, the WWF AT1314 Nama Karoo ecoregion.

Snow on the mountains.
Photo: Joey Rootman (Rolbos)

Economy

Farming: Sheep, wool.

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