Interesting facts about Paarl
What makes Paarl special? The list is endless…
Ask anyone who lives here and they will provide you with countless reasons as to what makes life in Paarl so unique.
ShowMe Paarl and Wellington have decided to make 2015 a year of celebration and discovery.
And so, in honor of this, here are some interesting facts about our wonderful Paarl and why we should truly celebrate living in such a magnificent town!
- Paarl has a unique and interesting history. Did you know that it is the oldest town and European settlement in South Africa? The Paarl valley was first colonised in 1687 when land was allocated to 23 families from Stellenbosch. The district was initially known as Drakenstein, after its church congregation, but when a village was founded at the foot of Paarl Rock in 1690, it was named Paarl.
- Paarl is home to some of the oldest olive groves in the country. De Hoop Farm has played a pioneering role in South Africa’s olive industry. The ancient avenue of olive trees dates back to the earliest plantings on the farm. At the turn of the previous century De Hoop’s olive oil was voted the “best olive oil in the empire” at a London show.
- Paarl is unusual in South Africa in that its name is pronounced differently in English and Afrikaans. A distinct feature of the name of the town is that many Afrikaans speakers customarily attach the definite article to it: people say in die Paarl (in the Paarl), rather than in Paarl.
- Paarl Mountain’s 500-million-year-old domes are one of the world’s largest granite outcrops and often compared to the towering Ayers Rock in Australia. The mountain is formed by three rounded outcrops, Paarl, Bretagne and Gordon. Paarl Rock itself is a popular Mecca for rock climbers. In the pioneering period of rock climbing in South Africa, however, the mountain was ignored because of its steep smooth faces.The first climbing routes up the rock were pioneered in 1969 by J.W.Marchant and G. Athiros
- Paarl is home to the only monument to a living language in the world. Situated on the slopes of the Paarl Mountain the Taalmonument, or Afrikaans Language Monument, was unveiled in October 1975. The main 57 meter column symbolises the Afrikaans language while the other columns, domes and walls represent the European, African and Malay languages that contributed to Afrikaans. A trip to the Taalmonument provides visitors with a unique cultural experience and some of the best views in Paarl.
- Paarl is home to the longest main road in South Africa! A drive down the 12km Main Road provides commuters with a trip down memory lane. The buildings lining Main Road present a mosaic of the most superb examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture.
- And, finally, let’s not forget the annual Paarl Interskole between Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys high. Taking place on 1 August 2015 this clash of sporting greats has been voted the biggest schoolboy derby in South Africa.
It’s clear that Paarl truly is a remarkable town rich in culture and beauty.
This list is by no means complete, there many things that make Paarl a special and interesting place. Please send us your thoughts, facts and suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! Email them to paarl@showme.co.za
Comments