Here in the Karoo Highlands, it pays to look up and study the stars. You’re in the Sutherland-Calvinia-Williston-Merweville ‘big sky’ country, where the Bushmen were once able to see the moons of Jupiter (the Jovian satellites) with their naked eyes. They called Jupiter the Dawn’s Heart Star.
Merweville (the villagers call it Mirville) lies between the Swart and Nuweveld mountains and can be reached only by driving long distances along dirt roads between Fraserburg, Sutherland and the beautifully tarred road from Prince Albert station.
The “Englishman’s Grave” outside Merweville belongs, in fact, to an Australian by the name of Lieutenant Walter Olifant Arnot. Legend has it that Lt Arnot came to fight the Boer, developed sympathy for his foe and fell into a deep depression. He committed suicide in April, 1902. Locals still tend faithfully to the poor man’s gravesite.
It’s so dry out here that movie makers and documentary producers use the town and its surrounds as the location for various desert scenes. In a certain light at a certain time of day, Merweville resembles a Mexican border town. Just add some tequila, a sombrero and the odd adobe hut.
Not far from Merweville are a number of farms offering eco-experiences and open spaces to visitors. Urbanites have bought a number of houses in the town and use them for weekend escapes.
Merweville is where it pays to chat with the locals. Once you’ve had a few on-street conversations, the dusty little town becomes charming and far more interesting than it looked at first glance.
For more info, have a look at www.merweville.co.za.
Find our new e-Book, 101 Karoo Towns HERE.
9 comments
Anna Turton
Oh, how I would like to go back home!
Ina (Snyman) Nel
Wat n voorreg om hier te kon opgroei! Hier het n deel van my agter gebly vir altyd!
Dirt Rider
Was die naweek daar gewees. Soek nou weer ‘n kans om terug te gaan met my “bike”. Dis die plek waar tyd half stilstaan…………
Tienie Fraser
Hoe goed of sleg is die pad soontoe. Ek en my digter wil soontoe ry met my GSA maar my offroad skills op n motorfiets is power !! Maar bang vir sand jong. !!!
Leon le Roux
Klein karoo dorpie maar ‘n juweel om te besoek.
marlene
Hello, can you send me contact details for the eco-farms you mention, near Merweville.I’m looking for over night accommodation 14 April. Thank you.
sonja theron
Ek is op soek na die persoon wa by ‘n Mark verlede jaar konfytbottel “covers”(hoedjies)
verkoop het op Merweville. Het een persent gekry, maar soek nog van hierdie lieflike goed.
Mick Kleb
Halo,
I am looking for affordable accommodation, nothing special in Merviville 10-13 July 2017.
Can somebody help?
Please contact Mick
0835008653
Cape Town
Marlene Rousseau
Where are the legendary “a number of farms offering eco-experiences and open spaces to visitors” near Merweville. I need 2 nights accoomdation near Merweville – would love to stay on a farm!