Churches from different building periods, places of remembrance and Karoo rock formations give Steytlerville a distinct character for those interested in culture and landscape. If you are looking for accommodation, consider what you would like to focus on: should architecture, local history, crafts or time spent in the landscape shape your stay?
Churches and crafts
The Dutch Reformed Church in Steytlerville is considered the largest church in the Edwardian style in southern Africa and has seating for 1,200. It has an organ with 1,046 pipes. Its style, seating capacity and organ give it a distinctive place in the town’s architectural history. St Paul’s Anglican Church was consecrated by Bishop Charles Cornish on 4 July 1900. The Methodist Church was built in 1886; it took five years to complete. These churches offer different historical points of interest: the Dutch Reformed Church’s Edwardian style and size, the consecration year and bishop at St Paul’s, and the construction year and building period of the Methodist Church.
Local crafts are also part of the area’s cultural character. The Steytlerville Crafters are a group of local women who make mosaic pieces such as crosses, hearts, vases and bowls. Alongside the history of the churches, these handmade pieces represent another distinct cultural facet.
Places of remembrance and local history
The Lady De Waal Bridge was inaugurated in October 1913 by Sir Frederick de Waal, the Union’s first Administrator, and named after his wife, Lady De Waal. The Steytlerville War Memorial stands at the intersection of Middelton Street and Piet Retief Street. The War Monument in Steytlerville was erected in 1925 and commemorates residents who died in the First and Second World Wars.
The grave of James Kobe Madlaila is considered the only grave outside Steytlerville’s town cemetery. Madlaila was a Constable and Xhosa interpreter on the staff of the Resident Magistrate of Steytlerville. On 6 August 1901, he was shot dead at Rooiklip by Schemers’ commando. This part of the story extends into the wider regional context and adds a historical connection to Madlaila’s work to the account of local places of remembrance.
Since 2003, flags along Steytlerville’s main street have displayed the family coats of arms of the town’s various communities. The Valley Of The Flags is part of the R329; the flags there have been South Africa’s national flags at different times. If you plan a visit specifically to see the flags, check their current condition beforehand.
The Steytlerville Motor Museum is located behind the Verandah Coffee Shop.
Landscape and activities
Steytlerville has numerous distinctive rock formations that were created millions of years ago, when the Karoo lay beneath the Algoa Sea. Their origins span a different timescale from the town’s buildings and memorials, making the landscape a focus in its own right when planning a trip.
Several gravel-bike routes run through the landscape around Steytlerville. This means there is more to enjoy than the town’s architecture and history, extending into the surrounding area.
For planning purposes, it is helpful to distinguish between the two areas: the churches, monuments, bridge and main street are in Steytlerville itself, while the gravel-bike routes cover the area around the town. When looking for a hotel, you can decide whether the town’s cultural character or the surrounding landscape should be the focus of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Kromriver, Witelsbos, Seafield, Studtis, Riebeek East, Clarkson, Joubertina, Kleinpoort
For the broader travel overview: Cacadu.
