Paarl is one of the three oldest European settlements in South Africa and forms part of the Western Cape Province. With a population of 75.000 it is also the largest town in the Cape Winelands . It is situated about 60 kilometers north-east of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province and is renowned for its illustrious past and unrivalled scenic beauty.

It is particularly well known for its Pearl Mountain or "Paarl Rock". This huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and it is the second largest granite outcrop in the world (after Uluru in Australia).

History

In 1657, while Abraham Gabemma was searching for new meat resources for the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, he saw a giant granite rock glistening in the sun after a rainstorm and named it “Peerlebergh” (Pearl Mountain).

Then, in 1687, just 35 years after the landing of Jan van Riebeeck at the Cape, land for farms was given to some Dutch settlers on the banks of the Berg River nearby. The fertile soil and the Mediterranean-like climate of this region proved to have perfect conditions for farming. These settlers planted orchards, vegetable gardens and above all, vineyards.

Tourist attractions

Like many towns in the Cape Winelands, Paarl is a prosperous community with many well maintained and attractive Cape Dutch houses, beautiful gardens and streets lined with old oak trees.

Paarl boasts a unique attraction as it was here that the foundations of the Afrikaans language was laid by the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners. The "Afrikaanse Taalmonument " (monument to the Afrikaans language) on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, the Language Museum and the Afrikaans Language Route through Dal Josaphat are living memorials to this achievement.

The headquarters of the wine industry in South Africa is also situated here - the Co-operative Wine Growers' Association (better known by its Afrikaans initials KWV). The KWV is a South African institution that has acquired an international reputation based on its unique achievements and its imprint of quality on the local wine industry.

At present the town and its surrounding region also attracts visitors with an array of activities such as scenic drives, hiking trails, the Paarl wine route with its many wine tasting opportunities (including the famous Nederburg estate) and excellent restaurants.