Heritage, Arts & Culture

Heritage, Arts & Culture

Paarl is the third-oldest town in South Africa.

On Paarl Mountain is the Afrikaans Language Monument which celebrates the work done in establishing the Afrikaans language.

The town is full of history and it can be seen in the many monuments and historical buildings.

Most of the schools are legendary and their history goes back many, many years.

Many National heroes and well known personalities come from Paarl. It is here where Nelson Mandela took his first steps after being released from the Victor Verster Prison just outside Paarl. There is a gaint statue of him at the entrance to the prison

A walk down the 10 km long Main Road is a trip down memory lane. You will experience the most superb examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture.

See the artcle about Historic Walk in Paarl.

Art

Paarl is well known for its Arts.

It is the kind of place where artists love to gather and there is no shortage of inspiration in the Winelands.

Ceramics, Painting, Glass Blowing and Music are all to found in Paarl and the surrounding areas.

There are numerous art galleries in the town, the Hout Street Gallery, de Kraal Gallery and Gallery 88 being some of the more well known.

Paarl is also the home of the Jack Meyer Art Centre, where all facets of art and design are taught.

Kate van Putten a local ceramics artist thas her studio in Patriot Street, where she makes her well known hand decorated mugs, beakers and bowls.

Seidelberg Wine Estate is home to Red Hot Glass where one can watch beautiful glass pieces being created in front of your eyes. There is also an adjacent gallery that sells what it produced there.

Culture

The Old Mill Theatre, located in Mill Street, has been putting on plays for many years in Paarl and is still going strong.

During this time a host of plays, gigs and musical shows are performed in various locations in and around the town by well known artists from all around the country.

The Open Air Amphitheatre at the Afrikaans Language Monument on Paarl Mountain regularly hosts musical events; everything from Rock to Opera has been performed there in the past. It is a unique venue and well worth a visit.

The Paarl area is well known for its wine and it’s on the many Wine Estates surrounding Paarl that a variety of cultural events take place throughout the year. Everything from operas to plays are performed and attract people from all over the world.

There are many Museums and Cultural sites in the area. From the Afrikaans Language Museum, The Language Monument and the Paarl Museum.

De Poort is the first heritage village in South Africa.

This is where one can relive the era of the horse and cart when the Drakenstein valley was the centre of the transport industry.

At Laborie there is a monument to those who suffered during the Anglo Boer War.

The diversity of the Arts and the Cultural scene in Paarl is just another reason to visit.

Browse ShowMe Paarl for more information about Events and Tourist attractions in the town.