The town was founded in 1851 on the beautiful Oorlogskloof River and named after John Calvin, a religious reformer at the time. Calvinia is situated at the foot of the Hantam Mountains (Hantam means ‘where the red bulbs grow’ in the Khoi language).
The town boasts beautiful night skies with eighty percent starlight, and is responsible for a large portion of wool produced in the country.


Attractions and Things to do in Calvinia

4x4 Routes
There are various routes on offer. The spring time is beautiful with the countryside covered in flowers. Tel: 02726 81317 / 027 341 2201.

Hantam House
The Cape dutch styled house was built in 1854, by Field Cornet A van Wyk. Still with its original cedarwood woodwork, the original kraal today is a coffee house where traditional delecasies are served.

Akkerendam Nature Reserve
There are two trails across the Hantam Mountain, both with beautiful scenery , The reserve is home to the sterboom and 65 different bird species.

Museum
The museum is situated inside an old Synagogue built in 1920. Home to interesting exhibits portraying the lives of the early European settlers, a cedarwood horsemill and a display of mounted Cape fat-tailed, Merino and Dorper sheep. Tel: 027 341 1011.

Spring Flowers
In flower season, one can pick up current maps directing them to the best flower shows in the area.