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Free State - Eastern Freestate Routes |  |
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In the Free State Province, on the N1 national highway to the northeast of Bloemfontein. A solid, handsome town, set on the willow- and poplar-graced banks of the Vals River and noted for its sandstone buildings, among them the old Civic Hall, the old Market Square Post Office and the Dutch Reformed Church. It's the third largest of the Free State's urban centres (after Bloemfontein and Welkom), a major road and rail junction and hub of a gold mining and farming area that sustains cattle, sheep, wheat and fruit. The town, which features fairly prominently in the story of Boer (Afrikaner) settlement, was founded in 1855 and, in 1900, briefly became the seat of the Orange Free State Republican Government. Jukskeipark is the headquarters of jukskei, South Africa's best-known indigenous sport (which is rather similar to the American game of horseshoe-pitching, also a pioneer recreation).
Museum Local history on display, with the focus on Voortrekker spiritual leader Sarel Cilliers, who is buried on the farmstead 'Doornkloof', 45 kilometres away along the Lindley road. Cilliers was the principal author of the Covenant, or Vow, made by the Voortrekkers with their God before the battle of Blood River in 1838, and in which thousands of lightly armed Zulu warriors perished. Kroonpark A lively leisure area, located beside the Vals River, of swimming pools (one of them Olympic-sized), waterslides, watersports facilities (on nearby dams) and a restaurant. Walking Trail More than 150 bird species and some excellent examples of Bushman rock-art can be seen on the one-day trail close to town.
Parys lies to the north-east; Welkom is about 40 kilometres south-west; Bloemfontein is on the N1 highway to the south; Bethlehem at the end of the R76 to the south-east. |
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KROONSTAD Western Cape
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