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Cities and Towns
Part of the tombstone route
Williston
Approximately 120km east of Calvinia

Region:
Namakwa
Nearby Towns: Fraserburg, Calvinia, Carnarvon, Brandvlei

In 1768 Johan Abraham Nel planted an almond tree in honour of his son’s birth. This tree eventually became enormous, and was an oasis in the dry treeless area of the Karee Mountains.

In 1845 Johann Heinrich Lutz established a mission station named Amandelboom (almond tree) at this spot. In 1883 the name changed to Williston, in honour of Colonel Hampden Willis.
  i Tourist Information
Karoo Hoogland Tourism
Tel 023 571 1265 Fax 571 1307
Email hooglandtourism@telkomsa.net Website http://www.karoohoogland.co.za
 

 


activities and attractions
  Blockhouse
2km west of the town. It dates from the time of the Anglo-Boer War.

Corbelled Houses
Regarded as the first architectural style in the north-west Karoo. Unique in that it is built entirely of stone, with flat stones protruding from a domed roof. Examples of these houses may be seen on the farm Arbeidersfontein, in the direction of Carnarvon, and along the Fraserburg road at Jan Klaasplaas and on Van Reenensplaas.

Museum
(NG Mission Church) 12 Lutz Street. The mission church was consecrated on 29 March 1884. The original church was a square building, with the vestry at the back and a bell outside. Later, two wings were added.

NG Church
The sandstone church, a national monument built in 1912/13, was a unique style at the time. The church cost £8 000 to build.

Rhenish Church
10 Church Street. This little mission church was consecrated in 1857 and the original woven reeds may still be seen under the present iron roof. When white farmers later moved in they had no church of their own so the mission congregation invited them to use their church. As far as is known, this was the only congregation in South Africa where people of all races served on the same church council, at the beginning of the 19th century.

Singing Hills
East of Williston stand two hills, each shaped like a sugar loaf. A footpath leads to the rope, known in the nineteenth century as ‘Sangkoppe’ but later as ‘Singkoppe’ (Singing Hills). From the hills choirs would sing spiritual songs that echoed all around.

Tombstone Route
Take the road to Carnarvon, and turn left along the Oest road. A form of folk-art as tombstones were skilfully chiselled out of local sandstone. The owner’s permission is required before visiting. Also some special old tombstones at the Old Cemetery.

 
activities and attractions

 

Featured Accommodation

1.
Soek-‘n-Slapie Guest House
Tel:053 391 3329
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

2.
Annie’s Inn
Tel:053 391 3541
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

3.
Williston & Snooty Fox B&B
Tel:053 391 3069
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

4.
Benoudsfontein Farm
Tel:(053) 3912 ask for 1302
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

5.
De Rust Guest Farm
Tel:(053) 3912 ask for 2104
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

6.
Hawthorne Country House
Tel:082 342 4144
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

7.
Rietvlei Farm
Tel:(053) 3912 ask for 2402
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston

8.
Williston Hotel
Tel:(053) 391 3005
Hotels and Lodges, Williston

9.
Zakrivier Guest Farm
Tel:082 761 4488
Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Williston


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