Roosje van de Kaap - Swellendam Accommodation

Historical Buildings in Swellendam

The Drostdy
The Drostdy was built by the Dutch East India Company in 1747 to serve as residence and official headquarters for the Landdrost.

This is one of the oldest buildings in South Africa and a great experience for young and old. A visit to the Drostdy would not be complete without a visit to the Gaol, Ambagswerf, Mayville house and Mayville Garden all located in the same area. Some of the best coffee shops and restaurants in Swellendam are within walking distance from the Drostdy.
Trading Hours
Mon to Fri: 9:00 – 16:45
Sat, Sun and Public holidays: 10:00 – 15:00
Closed: Good Friday, 25-26 Dec and 1 Jan
Location: 25 Swellengrebel St, Swellendam

Moederkerk Dutch Reformed Church
The first church was built in 1802 by Christoffel Koents. He also built the pulpit out of stinkwood and yellowwood panels.

The congregation grew and in 1875 the church building was expanded. In 1909 it was decided to demolish the original church and build the new church in exactly the same spot. This is the church that you will see when you visit Swellendam today.

It cost £7,500 to build and the inauguration was on 10 June 1911.

The building is a mixture of styles. The gables are baroque, the windows Gothic, the cupola vaguely Eastern, and the steeple extravagant. The tower houses two bells. Inside is an interesting tiered amphitheater with banks of curving wood pews facing the pulpit and organ. The tower is a replica of a famous tower in Belgium. Very large yellowwood beams can be seen on the inside which were salvaged from the original church. The building also has Cape-Dutch properties. The church can now seat 900 people at the bottom and 500 people on the gallery.

Today Swellendam’s Dutch Reformed church is an impressive building that has been famed to be the most photographed church in South Africa.

Be sure to check viewing times. Visitors are welcome to walk through the church-building and view the historic photos in the vestry.
Hours
Mon – Wednesday: 8am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Thursday: 8am – 1pm
Friday: 8am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday Service: 9:30am – 10:30am