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Riebeek_kasteel Author; Christopher Murphy.

Top 10 Facts about Riebeek Kasteel

It is among the oldest towns in South Africa. Which is located 80 km northeast of Cape Town.

The Town is widely known for its currently fair and wide range of luxury guest houses and comfortable inns. Let鈥檚 learn more about the top 10 Facts about Riebeek Kasteel.

1. The Town was Named after Commander Jan Van Riebeek

In the year 1661, the then Commander Jan van Riebeeck started an inland discovery exploration. Which was under the leadership of Pieter Cruythoff.

 That year they started in the direction of Paardeberg, on February 3, the year 1661. They came across and ascended a lonely mountain and discovered the fertile vista of the Riebeek Valley. The valley was named Riebeek Kasteel in honour of the Commander.

2. Discover the Sister Village of Riebeek Kasteel

The Town is closely located in its sister village called Riebeek West. The two towns are a few minutes drive from one each other.

 The two towns make the best essential day trips from Cape Town. wonderful places to spend a few days and also weeks, exploring the beautiful countryside.

3. Riebeek Kasteel Town is a Festival Hot Spot

Starting in the year 2000, the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival is among the best and most popular lifestyle festivals event in the Western Cape. The biggest olive festival in the country is also hosted in this town.

 The Town also hosts another festival. Which is called the Riebeek Valley Shiraz and Art Weekend. It is always held on every first Friday of each month.

4. The Town is a Tourist Attraction Site

Riebeek-Kasteel. Author A3alb

The Riebeek valley has a creative community which includes the twin towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West. The communities took the opportunity when the city was on lockdown during COVID-19.

 They developed the concept of what become the Arts Town Riebeek Valley. The Arts Town Riebeek Valley is an umbrella platform which it鈥檚 the main purpose is to unite different initiatives and projects which develop and create products which are within the cultural tourism sector.

5. Solo Studio Events are Hosted in this beautiful Place

Solo Studios which become an annual event on the South African arts calendar is hosted by two towns in the country. That is, around the towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West.

Solo Studios event is a collaboration between different artists, art curators and galleries based within the area. Its main objective is to provide an opportunity and boost business between the art collectors and the artists in their different studios. By viewing and purchasing their art.

6. Explore one of the Museum in the Town

Oude Kerk Museum, Main Street, Riebeek-Kasteel.Author Morn茅 van Rooyen.

De Oude Kerk was a church that was opened in the year 1855. It later came to be a museum due to a lack of money that largely prevented a pastor from arriving at the church.

The purpose of this museum is to pay tribute to the Voortrekkers who had settled in the valley. Some of their tools like wagons, farming implements, school desks, and hymn books are kept there.

The museum has a coffin which dates back to the year 1880. During the flu epidemic in the year 1918, bodies were wrapped in sheets and placed in the coffin Due to a shortage of wood.

7. A Home to the Jan Smuts Museum

Smuts House. Author NJR ZA.

Smuts House which is a historic house in Riebeek Kasteel town was previously inhabited by a South African statesman, called Jan Smuts, and his family. The house later became part of the Smuts House Museum when it was declared a National Monument by the government in the year 1969.

The museum is operated by the General Smuts Foundation. It was dedicated to Jan Smuts where his ashes were scattered.

8. Riebeek Kasteel Town has a Boothmanskloof Pass

The Bothmanskloof Pass is located in the Western Cape province of South Africa in Riebeek Kasteel. The main purpose of this Boothmanskloof is to take travellers all over the Kasteelberg mountain and also down the Riebeek Valley. Where the Riebeek Kasteel town is located.

At Boothmanskloof鈥漵 summit there is a memorial which is situated in this area to remember Pieter Cruythoff. It was dedicated to him and his companion traveller, Pieter Meerhoff for discovering Kasteelberg and the Riebeek.

9. The Oldest Hotel in South Africa is Located in this Town

Royal Hotel Riebeek-Kasteel. Author Morn茅 van Rooyen

The Royal Hotel which is located in Riebeek Kasteel is among the oldest licensed hotel in South Africa. It was built in the year 1862. The hotel is a fully restored heritage building. It is one of the few hotels left in the country from that particular colonial era of South Africa.

The hotel has had famous visitors in its history such as Jan Smuts and Daniel Malan. Both came from the Riebeek Valley and both were form ministers of South Africa.

In the year 2006, the Royal Hotel was ranked as the only hotel to appear on the list of the ” 50 most fabulous places to visit in South Africa” by South Africa.org. The hotel also has the longest stoop south of Limpopo.

10. The Town Produces the Best Olive Oil in South Africa

Hundred of years passed in South Africa after the first olive trees were planted in Riebeek Kasteel town before the olive oil production began. In the year 1936, Commercial olive groves were introduced in the country.

 That was after Ferdinando Costa planted an orchard in Paarl. Currently, in South Africa, there are more than one hundred and twenty olive oil producers. Most of them have preferred Riebeek Kasteel town for the production of olive oil over other towns in the country.

Riebeek Kasteel town is preferred by most people because it is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, and also the most productive town in the country. The Town also attracts more tourists who enjoy the best wines produced in this town.

Riebeek Kasteel is an art town, this is because the people who live there are uncompromising in their pursuit of personal expression. This is mainly through the art of food, the art of wine and most important the art of living together.