NAPIER
Like we all know every town in the Overberg has its own story to tel. And it’s time for us to share the story of Napier with you. Napier was established in 1838 on the farm Klipdrift (Yes like the brandy) that belonged to Pieter Voltelyn van der Byl, Pieter and his neighbour Michiel van Breda had to build a community church, the only problem was they could not decide on the location. Pieter wanted the church to build on his farm and Michiel wanted the church to build on his farm, nether one of them was going to give in which then resulted in two churches being build Michiel got his church around which the town Bredasdorp developed and Pieter got his church around which Napier developed.
Napier was named after the British Cape Province Governor Sir George Thomas Napier, though this is one of the smaller towns of the Overberg it has surely made its mark by being rated fourth most attractive town in the Western Cape by the Tourism Board.
Napier use to be known for it’s many craftsmen mainly consisting of blacksmiths, which is still today commemorated by an annual Horse and cart festival, other annual festival also include the Patatfees (Sweet potatoes festival) in June and the Voet van Africa (foot of Africa) marathon.
Napier has a certainly charm to it, it’s streets are lined with a mixture of modern and old style buildings and many of the original historic cottages has been renovated and turned into restaurants or crafts shops. The Feeshuis is the oldest of the buildings in Napier, in the early 1800’s it was used as a slaves quarters after which is was turned into a wine cellar. In 1988 to celebrate the town turning 150 the building was restored. Along with the Feeshuis Napier also offers historic views like the Toy Museum, The old water mill, The Giant sundial and the old ox wagon monument to commemorate the Ossewa trek of 1838.
S I would recommend you make a pause at Napier in your next journey, enjoy a lovely lunch at a local restaurant, explore the craft shops and meet up with some of the locals who will surely delight you with a few local tails
copyright.
Napier was named after the British Cape Province Governor Sir George Thomas Napier, though this is one of the smaller towns of the Overberg it has surely made its mark by being rated fourth most attractive town in the Western Cape by the Tourism Board.
Napier use to be known for it’s many craftsmen mainly consisting of blacksmiths, which is still today commemorated by an annual Horse and cart festival, other annual festival also include the Patatfees (Sweet potatoes festival) in June and the Voet van Africa (foot of Africa) marathon.
Napier has a certainly charm to it, it’s streets are lined with a mixture of modern and old style buildings and many of the original historic cottages has been renovated and turned into restaurants or crafts shops. The Feeshuis is the oldest of the buildings in Napier, in the early 1800’s it was used as a slaves quarters after which is was turned into a wine cellar. In 1988 to celebrate the town turning 150 the building was restored. Along with the Feeshuis Napier also offers historic views like the Toy Museum, The old water mill, The Giant sundial and the old ox wagon monument to commemorate the Ossewa trek of 1838.
S I would recommend you make a pause at Napier in your next journey, enjoy a lovely lunch at a local restaurant, explore the craft shops and meet up with some of the locals who will surely delight you with a few local tails
copyright.