Tulbagh

• Province: Western Cape
• Winelands
• Coordinates: 33°17′6″S 19°8′16″E
• Area:3.81 km2
• Municipality: Witzenberg

Tulbagh is a small town in the Western Cape, situated in the Cape Winelands. It lies about 120 km north-east of Cape Town, in the Tulbagh Valley, enclosed by the Winterhoek Mountains to the east and the Witzenberg Mountains to the north and west. The town is accessed via the R46 and is surrounded by vineyards, wheat fields, and fruit farms.

History of Tulbagh

Tulbagh is the commercial and administrative centre for the Witzenberg district. The basin is drained by the north-flowing Berg River and the South-flowing Breede River. It has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous Bushmen and Khoi peoples.

Dutch and Huguenot settlers

In 1699, Dutch and Huguenot settlers were granted land in this area by the Dutch colonial government. The area was known as “Land van Waveren’ after the Oetgens van Waveren family, who were connected to Simon Van Der Stel on his mother’s side. The region was also known as Roodezand ( Red Sand), but the name of the area was later changed to Tulbagh after Ryk Tulbagh, who was a governor at the Cape from 1751 to 1771. The town gained municipal status in 1861.

Local architecture

As the town developed, the buildings reflected the periods of Cape Dutch, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Fine examples of these can be seen there today. Church Street boasts 32 national monuments, which were carefully rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1969. The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1743 for the congregation here, which called itself  Roodezand. (Red sand) Tulbagh has the  largest concentration of national monuments on a single street in all of South Africa

Vintage picture of the  hotel

Economy

The economy of the town revolves around agriculture, predominantly fruit and wine. The oldest wine co-op in South Africa is here. Some wheat is also grown. Sheep farming also contributes to the economy. Domestic water is supplied from a spring in the mountainside.

Earthquake 1969

Tulbagh lies directly over a fault in the subterranean rock system in the valley. Tremors have been a regular occurrence. However, none so severe as the quake on 29 September 1969. Many of the historic buildings were severely damaged by. Soft brick walls and gables crumbled and collapsed. Extensive repair operations were undertaken, and the town now has one of the largest numbers of local heritage sites in South Africa.

The license plate prefix for Tulbagh is CCM, and the postal code is 6820

local WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and places to see in Tulbagh

Things to do and see in Tulbagh

• Christmas in winter
• Duikersdrift parkrun . Join us for a free, timed 5km run/walk at 8 am every Saturday!  duikersdriftoffice@parkrun.com
• The original Drostdy, designed by Louis Thibault, opened in 1806
• Earthquake Museum – Oude Kerk Volksmuseum, Southern end of Church Street, built by congregants between1743 and 1748, ph: 023 230 1348
• Take a guided tour with Voice Map
• Heritage buildings ( national monuments) include the Cape Dutch style homesteads Klipfontein, Wolwefontein and Schoongezicht
• Annual wildflower show at the local Show Grounds held in September. Started in 1887.
• Explore Tulbagh
• 
• Boer War Blockhouse
• Annual arts festival, a weekend of Art, Music, Food and Wine 079 446 3791
• Slideshow 

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide