The town of Stellenbosch developed from a colony of settlers to whom land had been granted on the banks of the Eerste River. Simon van der Stel gave Stellenbosch the name to a small island in the Eerste River, Commander of the Cape, who had encamped there with his encourage in 1679.
The valley was fertile and particularly suited to agriculture, and the riverbanks and surrounding areas well wooded by beautiful trees. The Dutch East India Company intended that fruit and vegetables be grown here to supply ships en route to and from the East Indies. The early settlers were encouraged to plant oak trees as the oak lined streets bear testimony today, and the second oldest town (after Cape Town) become affectionately known as "Eikestad" - town of oaks.
In 1918 the oldest Afrikaans university in South Africa was founded and subsequent establishment of many other educational institutions followed this. History is reflected in many of its neo-Dutch, Georgian and modern Victorian architecture over the last three centuries, which encompasses simple lines, fine detail and elegant proportions in the meticulously restored buildings in the charming town centre.
Stellenbosch is surrounded by a mountain panorama, as can be best viewed at the bottom end of Merriman Avenue: Helderberg, Stellenbosch Mountain with Jonkershoek Valley and Twin Peaks in the distance, Simonsberg which is connected to Botmanskop and the rest of Jonkershoek mountains by the saddle of Hellshoogte.
The town of Stellenbosch developed from a colony of settlers to whom land had been granted on the banks of the Eerste River. Simon van der Stel gave Stellenbosch the name to a small island in the Eerste River, Commander of the Cape, who had encamped there with his encourage in 1679.
The valley was fertile and particularly suited to agriculture, and the riverbanks and surrounding areas well wooded by beautiful trees. The Dutch East India Company intended that fruit and vegetables be grown here to supply ships en route to and from the East Indies. The early settlers were encouraged to plant oak trees as the oak lined streets bear testimony today, and the second oldest town (after Cape Town) become affectionately known as "Eikestad" - town of oaks.
