Burgerhuis Museum, Cape Winelands

Burgerhuis Museum, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

The Burgerhuis (Burger house) - a cultural museum in Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa - is one of a group of historical buildings that surround the village green, also know as the Braak. Stellenbosch’s village green was laid out as early as 1703 as a parade ground that today lies at the heart of the oak-lined streets, water canals and beautiful white-washed Cape Dutch style buildings that are the hallmark of this beautiful town.

The Burgerhuis is regarded as a typical dwelling of the more well-to-do citizen of the old Cape, and the museum captures the elegance of the 17th and 18th centuries most wonderfully. The town council have tried to maintain a replica of the private dwelling the building would have been in its day, although when they first received the house is was in something of a state.

Stellenbosch is full of buildings of historical interest, particularly Dorp Street where one of the longest rows of old buildings survives, many of them run as little shops and restaurants. Other places worth a visit, other than the Burgerhuis Museum, are the Stellenryk Wijn Museum, also in Dorp Street, the Oude Meester Brandy Museum in Old Strand Road, the Van Rhyn Brandy Cellar on the outskirts of town and even the University of Stellenbosch’s campus, which has one of the most beautiful grounds that includes its Botanical Garden – a wonderful place to sit for a while.