Beaufort West
For many South Africans, the Western Cape town of Beaufort West is just another destination along the N1 route that takes them through the rest of the country where they can fill up their petrol tanks and stretch their legs. What many might not know, however, is that Beaufort West is history-laden and culturally diverse providing a side to it that can only be known once you have spent a little bit of time there. It is definitely worth the visit as a number of facts are sure to pique your interest drawing you in more and more to further inspect this curious part of the country.
While Beaufort West is now considered semi-desert, what is interesting about it is that initially it had been a swamp with the world's first reptile fossil discovered nearby. In fact, the town was known to be rich in abundance with these types of fossils and many of the remains that have been found now grace a number of museums around the world. Additionally, Beaufort West is historically significant; it is the oldest town in the Central Karoo region with many of the earth's most intriguing Stone Age sites found here as well as valuable Bushmen rock art that has been left on the walls of nearby farms.
Another must-see feature that makes Beaufort West unique is its eclectic and varied architecture. Influences include Georgian, Edwardian, Victorian, Romanesque, Neo-Classic, Neo-Gothic, Cape Dutch, and Contemporary styles. Many of the town's buildings and structures are now national monuments such as the mission church, the old town hall, and the Barnard House, which is named after heart transplant pioneer Dr. Chris Barnard, whom the town considers one of their famous sons.
