Kroonstad

Kroonstad Northern Free State, South Africa

Kroonstad is the third-largest town in Free State Province, South Africa lies two hours drive from Gauteng. Kroonstad was established in 1855. In the 1991 census it had a population of 110,963. The main industry is agriculture. A caravan park and many more camp sites on the banks of the willow-lined Vals River are frequented by anglers and watersport enthusiasts.

Folklore has it that the town was named for a horse, belonging to Voortrekker Sarel Cilliers, which drowned in a stream named Kroonspruit on the site of the present town. From March 13-May 11, 1900 it was the capital of the Orange Free State. The British built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War to house Boer women and children.

Kroonstad has the distinction of being one of the most beautiful towns in the Free State. Folklore has it that the town was named after a horse, ‘Kroon’, which belonged to the prominent Voortrekker leader Sarel Cilliers. The Kroon Park resort is situated on the banks of the Vals River, which flows through the centre of the town. The beautiful setting and scenery combined with the endless leisure opportunities on offer, make this resort one of the most popular in the Free State, Kroonstad serves a rich agricultural district producing maize, wheat, meat, sunflowers, dairy products and wool

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bloemfontein 210 km, Cape Town 1240 km, Durban 560 km, East London 800 km, Johannesburg (via toll road) 198 km, Port Elizabeth 900 km, Pretoria (via toll road)258 km

Altitude: 1350 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 650 mm per annum

Average Temperatures - Summer 28°c; Winter 12°c

Banks

Absa 3 (ATM’s 7), Fnb (ATM), Nedbank (ATM), Saambou (ATM), Standard (ATM’s 2)

Dams – Bloemhoek Dam, Serfontein Dam

Rivers – Vals

HISTORICAL VIEW

Bloemspruit Monument

British and Scottish Cemeteries

Buildings designed by Sir Herbert Baker

The City Hall, Post Office, Standard Bank Building and the buildings on the Market Square

Burgher Monument

Cultural Historical Buildings

A variety of lovely old buildings adorn Kroonstad’s streets

Dutch Reformed Mother Church

Language Monument

Sarel Celliers Museum / Statue

Civic Centre. Exhibits at the museum depicts Kroonstad’s history. A memorial was erected in memory of Voortrekker leader Sarel Cilliers. The restored Celliers homestead can also be visited

St Patrick’s Cathedral

Theatre

NATURE

Boskoppie Game Reserve & Lodge

Lions and Cheetahs, breeding projects, game drives, plains game hunting

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Agricultural Show – February

Street Festival – September

Kroonstad Kroon Festival – November

Alexander Bridge – Over the Vals River

Flea Markets

Green Mealie Tea Garden and Exhibition of Mealie Industry – On farm Belmont

Kroonpark

It is an ultramodern holiday resort on the banks of the Vals River. Here, amidst the green lawns and shady trees, one has a choice of luxurious, fully furnished chalets, a caravan park and a picnic site. It’s many features include a heated indoor swimming pool, two outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant, conference facilities and a large amphitheatre.

Maize Country Route - Home industries, hiking trails and game viewing

Stud Farming

ACTIVITIES

Angling

Excellent conditions in the well stocked Vals River, Bloemhoek Dam

Bird Watching & Boating – Serfontein Dam

Game Drives / Viewing – There are three game farms in the area

Gliding

Hiking

Just outside of town. One can enjoy many species of indigenous birdlife, and visit sites of ancient San settlements

Horse Riding

Hunting

Maize Country Route

Sailing – Bloemhoek Dam

Skiing

Accommodation in and around Kroonstad