Libertas
Address
Van Reede Road
Date Built
Suggested Grading
II
Property Number
Present NHRA protection
S27
Older than 60 years - at time of survey
yes
Description
Intact Cape Dutch werf with an H-shaped house, an older T-shaped dwelling that was converted to an outbuilding, stables dating from 1779, a fowl run with slave quarters, and a cellar. Some distance from the homestead is the burial ground. The werf forms a loose linear arrangement, with lines of Oak trees adding to the spatial structure, and a tributary of the Eerste River with a bridge cutting through the werf, and creating a threshold along the approach road (now re-aligned to the south).
Details
Valley
Eerste River Valley (C01-C30)
Area
Eerste River Central Roling Area (C15-C24)
Landscape Unit
C15
Townscape
Landscape Unit Grade
Grade II
Architect / Builder
Current Use
Agricultural werf
Original Use
Agricultural werf
General Evaluation
Interior Description
History
Granted to Hans Jurgen Grimpe in 1692, and extended in 1690. The farm came into the ownership <br />
of Adam Tas through his marriage to Grimpe's widow. Tas' house is believe to have stood on a part <br />
of his farm that now forms Oude Libertas.
Grouping with other sites
The site contributes to the understanding of the historic pattern of settlement between the R310 and
Eerste river.
Evidence of Demolition
Contextual Design
The site has very high contextual significance, being a very intact Cape Dutch werf with a fine sense
of place.
Invasive Elements
Heritage Vulnerability
The suburban sprawl of Stellenbosch is a real threat to this unique heritage site and its broader landscape.
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Map
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Latitude/Longitude
-33.9500566667 / 18.84351
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Additional Information
Additional Documents
Survey
2016
Circa
Admin Area
Allotment
Zoning
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Date of survey
2016
Linked to erf/erven
Linked Address
Environment
Valley PDF
AREA PDF
Landscape Unit PDF
Townscape PDF
2016 Survey Document - Site PDF
OTHER DOCUMENTS
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NHRA Significance
Age
High
Archaeology
Medium
Architectural
High
Associational
High
Intangible
Medium
* SCALE USED: High / Medium / Low / None
Rarity
High
Representivity
Medium
Scientific
Medium
Symbolic
Medium
Statement of Significance
The site is highly representative of a werf that displays the fine interplay between built environment,
the rural landscape and the wilderness beyond. The site exhibits many rare and unique elemtents,
such as the murals, an extremely fine holbol gable, and the burial ground with gabled vaults. It has a
strong and tangible connection with the history of slavery. The site holds extremely high levels of
historical, architectural, archaeological, landmark/scenic, aesthetic/contextual significance, and is
a rare example. The site is a former National Monument.
Landscape Significance
Rows of oak trees edge the werf space. Linear plantings contribute to the sense of place.
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Additional Photos
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