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Paarl, about 50 km remote of Cape Town, is with 110.000 inhabitants the second-biggest city of the Cape Province and an important economy center. Paarl is situated in the Mountain River Valley and is surrounded by the Drakenstein Mountain Range and by the Paarl Rock, a gigantic granite rock. The name Paarl is Afrikaans and means pearl, which originates from the Paarl Rock glimmering with sunlight in the morning dew. The main road extends over ten kilometers through the city and moves past the most beautiful Cape-Dutch, victorian and georgian houses. |
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Besides the biggest wine cellar complex of the world (KWV) some of the best known vineries of South Africa are located in Paarl: Nederburg, Fairview, Backsberg Laborie. Next to the vineries it is worth while visiting the Victor-Vester prison in which Nelson Mandela spent the last years of his custody. In addition there is a crocodile farm, a snake farm, a bunch farm, a lion farm and a butterfly park in Paarl or close by. The Arbortetum with his 650 different tree species applies to four kilometers along the river. Also the excursions at the Paarlberg are recommended - passing fish farmes, wild flowers and many kinds of Proteas. |
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