Ladismith, with the majestic split-peaked Towerkop looming over the town, is set at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range in the Klein Karoo and is central to the fertile valleys situated along the foot of the mountains towards the north and to the south the succulent, arid plains of the Klein Karoo, truly an area of contrasts where five biomes meet, namely fynbos, renosterveld, succulent karoo, subtropical thicket, and aquatic/riverine.
The Klein Karoo is remarkably rich in plant species and almost 3,200 species have been recorded. Ladismith and the area around it received its fair share of this valuable treasure. A total of 214 different bird species have also been recorded. With no air pollution, the night skies are something for the star-gazers to experience.
Ladismith serves an extensive farming area with the ideal climate for the production of apricots, peaches, including nectarines, plums, pomegranates, purple figs, pears, grapes, watermelons and melons for the local and export fresh fruit markets as well as the dried fruit market. Olives are also grown on a smaller scale.
Ladismith, as with the rest of the Klein Karoo, benefited from the ostrich feather boom period at the beginning of the previous century. This opulence attracted several Jewish families from the Baltic states and at one stage in the early 1900s, there were about thirty Jewish families residing here. A synagogue, as well as a school, was built, and there was even a ‘Card playing school’ where poker was played at high stakes!
The town and district boast several building styles from bygone eras. If you are interested in buildings, Ladismith developed much of its own style, known as the Ladismith style – a simplified Georgian style, resembling a double-storey with a flat roof and the so-called “Ladismith eyes” – round ventilation holes in the front façade and sidewalls, providing circulation of air in the high attic during the hot summer months to keep the thick outer-walled houses cool.
Several buildings have been declared National (now Provincial) Monuments.
Here are some to investigate:
Otto Hager Church (1874 – Neo-Gothic), housing the tourism bureau, Lutheran Church Complex which consists of the church(1862 –Neo-Gothic/Roman), the vicarage (1862) to the left of the church, the Mission School (1869), across the street from the church and the thatched-roof Teacher’s House (c 1869) adjacent to the school building. Oakdene built-in 1876 is a beautiful double-storey Victorian house..Ye Old Cottage (1884) is a typical Karoo style cottage with a thatched roof. The Pentacostal Protestant Church (Wesleyan Church) in the Neo-Gothic style (1906), Albert Manor built around 1899, is a grandiose Victorian manor house.
The old Synagogue (the only Lithuanian style in South Africa) was built around 1913 by Joel Mann, who also built the “Volstruis Paleis” (Ostrich palace) in 1903 for his family. Several different Victorian-style buildings can be seen, varying from the grandiose (Albert Manor, “Volstruispaleis”) to the simple styles, as is the case with the “Ladismith style” as well. Other styles that can be seen are Georgian, Edwardian, Regency (Old Royal Hotel – 1883), Cape Dutch Revival (Town Hall – 1932)
Ladismith Wine Cellar
The Ladismith Wine Cellar started producing wines in 1948. They amalgamated with Barrydale Cellar and became known as Southern Cape Vineyards. A variety of white and red wines as well as pot-stilled brandy are produced, several of which have won awards in recent years. Turn right onto Ko-operasie Rd, just before the T-junction with Suid for Ladismith Wine and Brandy Cellars. Open for wine tasting & sales: Weekdays: 08:00 – 17:00; Saturdays: 09:00 – 15:00; Contact details: Tel: +27(0)28 551 1042; email.
Parmalat Cheese (Lactalis South Africa) factory was the original Towerkop Cheese factory, established in 1942, which Parmalat, an Italian company, took over in March 1999. Lactalis South Africa (a French company) bought the factory in 2011 and the name was changed in February 2020.
Ladismith Cheese factory was established in June 1999 and produces a variety of cheeses as well as butter and powdered milk. An affiliate of Sea Harvest, namely Cape Harvest Food Group, became the new owner on 20 August 2018.
Both cheese factories have won several awards at National and International Cheese Shows for a variety of their products. Products from both cheese factories are available from various outlets in town.
DAY TRIP FROM LADISMITH TO HOEKO VALLEY, SEWEWEEKSPOORT AND BOSLUISKLOOFGAMKAPOORT DAM
The day trip will take you through the fertile Hoeko valley with its orchards and vineyards.
Take your camera and you will not be disappointed. The round trip is 90 km to Seweweekspoort with its spectacular rock formations looming on both sides of the road winding for 17 km through the Seweweekspoort gorge in the Klein Swartberg mountains to emerge on the northern side in the Karoo.
At 2,325m the Seweweekspoort peak dominates the mountain on the western side, being the highest peak in the Klein Swartberg range as well as in the Western Cape.
Three routes up to the peak are very popular amongst serious mountaineers.
Construction or the 17km long road through the poort started in 1859 and was completed in June 1862.
The Bosluiskloof pass, leading to Prince Albert, was being built at the same time and completed shortly after the Seweweekspoort road. Construction on the dam cut off this shorter route from Ladismith to Prince Albert.
Turn right at the exit of the poort and a further 50km down and back up the Bosluiskloof pass to the Gamkapoort dam. The vista from the narrow pass down to the dam is one of the most spectacular in the area. The area near the dam is a treasure host of fossils. It would be a good idea to pack a picnic basket so you can just ramble for the day.
The very popular annual Seweweekspoort mountain bike challenge has been running for more than a decade. Participants have three options to choose from – from the serious mountain bike racers to the not-so-fit family groups to share in the fun, the pain and the awesome experience which bring them back year after year.
Contact:
Tel: 028 050 0158
e-mail: visitladismith@gmail.com
Facebook: ladismithtourism
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