Meerlust
Address
Off R310
Date Built
Suggested Grading
II
Property Number
Present NHRA protection
S27
Older than 60 years - at time of survey
yes
Description
A layered and very fine werf, which retains a very high degree of authenticity. The homestead is set atop a granite outcrop, and the farm as a whole contains excellent examples of various elements, such as barns, a slave lodge that has fine relief plaster decoration above the doors of the various rooms (said to relate to the trades of the slaves accommodated there), a very fine dovecot, as well as the only surviving tripartate barn with a threshing floor, a graveyard, tree-lined approach avenue and bell-tower. All this is set against the Eerste River corridor.
Details
Valley
Eerste River Valley (C01-C30)
Area
Eerste River Floodplain Area (C09-C14)
Landscape Unit
C09
Townscape
Landscape Unit Grade
Grade II
Architect / Builder
Current Use
Agricultural werf
Original Use
Agricultural werf
General Evaluation
Interior Description
History
The site contributes to the understanding of the historic pattern of settlement between the R310 and <br />
Eerste river.
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 is highly representative of a werf that displays the fine interplay between settlement/built
environment, the rural landscape and the wilderness beyond. It plays a gateway role to the
winelands along the R310.
Invasive Elements
Heritage Vulnerability
back to top
Map
To use the map, please open & follow the instructions below:
- Click here to view the map.
- Check Heritage Resources.
- Check Townscape Units.
- Check Landscape Units.
- Click & drag to move map around and find property.
- Use + and – in top left hand corner to zoom in or out.
Latitude/Longitude
-34.0170233333 / 18.7567366667
back to top
Additional Information
Additional Documents
Survey
2016
Circa
Admin Area
Allotment
Zoning
back to top
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
back to top
NHRA Significance
Age
High
Archaeology
High
Architectural
High
Associational
High
Intangible
High
* 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 settlement/built
environment, the rural landscape and the wilderness beyond. It plays a gateway role to the
winelands along the R310. The site exhibits many rare and unique elemtents, such as the tripartate
barn and dovecot. 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
The site exhibits many mature trees, some of which spatiall structure the werf, for instance the
avenue of trees and the planting around the main homestead, as well as the trees around the
dovecot.
back to top
Additional Photos
back to top