Prince Albert - Cape Town Travel Guide - South Africa

The Queekvallei farm, established by Zacharias and Dina de Beer in 1762 led to the formation of the village of Prince Albert.

Water, flowing from springs in the Swartberg Mountains, made this a fertile valley. This attracted other farmers. They produced fruit, wool and mutton. Church services were held on the market square and by 1844, a Dutch Reformed church had been built to serve the growing community.

In 1845, it was proposed that the village be named Albertsburg after his Royal Highness, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. Thus the village became known as Prince Albert. By 1855, a weekly market had become a regular feature.

In 1857 a reading room was established, and a library was opened in 1862 - one of the earliest in the Cape Colony. At the Fransie Pienaar Museum, one can view a book of Prince Albert's speeches, which was sent to the village by Queen Victoria in 1867. In 1949, the original library burnt down. The new NG Kerk in Kerkstraat was consecrated in 1865.

Well-preserved examples of Karoo cottages and Victorian homes can be seen today in the town. During the 1850's and 60's there was much building activity and Carel Lotz created his famous Prince Albert gables. The Swartberg Pass was opened to the public in 1886 - but at their own risk, because construction work was still underway. The Swartberg Pass was officially opened on 10th January 1888. In 1904 Dr Russell from Oudtshoorn drove the first motorcar over the pass.

Prince Albert also experienced a brief Gold Rush, when a shepherd found a gold nugget on the farm Klein Waterval in 1891. Only 504 ounces of gold were mined from the 1042 registered claims.  The museum in Prince Albert provides a history of the gold rush. In 1912 the first issue of a weekly newspaper, The Prince Albert Vriend/Prince Albert Friend was published in Dutch and English. This continues to be published today.  From Gordon’s Hill, one has a bird’s eye view of the village. You can also drive to the place called “The Hell”, in the nearby Gamkaskloof, where an isolated farming community once lived. Hiking and mountain bike trails are plentiful in the area surrounding Prince Albert.

Beaufort West - Matjiesfontein - Oudtshoorn - Swartberg Pass - Calitzdorp - Ladismith - Laingsburg - Prince Albert

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