These finds led to a search for gold in other countries, including south africa. Declared a goldfield in 1873, the town of pilgrims rest became a cosmopolitan centre of activity in south africa. Pilgrims rest is a living musuem the entire town has been declared a national monument taking the visitors to the day of old transvaal gold rush. The first discovery of gold in the transvaal which led to the first gold rush in south africa, took place in 1873 when payable gold was discovered on the farm geelhoutboom near the town of sabie in mpumalanga. It is steeped in history and drama as it is a living monument of the gold rush. In 1873 the town and surrounding area was densely populated with prospectors all hoping to make their fortunes in the second of the transvaal gold fields. Take a break and relax in pilgrims rest south african tourism. An excellent history of pilgrims rest can be found at this link.
Pilgrims rest home page pilgrims pilgrimsrest pilgrimsrest. The return distance between pretoria to pilgrims rest is 361 km. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of africas most advanced and richest economy. Pilgrims rest village tour 2018 mountain passes of south. Geni photos in photos from south africa history and. Check map from pretoria to pilgrims rest for clear directions. Pelgrimsrus is a small town in the mpumalanga province of south africa which is protected as a provincial heritage site. The province forms a very important part of south africas heritage. Pilgrims rest mpumalanga south africa pilgrims rest is a small town, with a population of only about 1800 people but the history of the town and the traditional feel have made the town a national monument since 1986. Mar 25, 2019 she is the vicechair of the south african gold panners association. For many years pilgrims rest used to be a popular tourist destination in mpumalanga.
She is a local amateur historian who has now published her lifes work in the 3rd edition of pilgrims rest whos who covering a mere 8 years of the towns history, but perhaps the most important years, 1873 to 1888. There is no direct connection from pilgrims rest to johannesburg. Early gold macmac diggings alec wheelbarrow patterson pilgrims rest proclaimed digging deeper zar veldponde last gold pilgrims at rest the first site in the history of south african archaeology where gold objects were excavated, was mapungubwe in limpopo province, dating to 1,000 1,300 ad. The group is standing in front of the pilgrims hotel.
Winding roads and mountain passes lead to the historic and unspoiled gold mining village of pilgrims rest. The house architecture and interior design are harmoniously put together to give the accommodation charm and the guests comfort. It is estimated that r2 million worth of gold was mined during the first seven years of mining in the pilgrims rest valley. The history of this quaint and delightful village dates back to 1873 when a. Being the only village in south africa with national monument status, we are. If you have ever visited pilgrims rest it is one of those places that stays. The news sparked off the biggest gold rush of the time and in january 1874 some 1,500 diggers were working about 4,000 claims in and around pilgrims. Located in the mpumalanga region of south africa, pilgrims rest is a small town with a very colorful and exciting history. Proclaimed as a national monument in 1986, the village has succeeded in preserving the quaint atmosphere of yesteryear.
This old gold mining town in south africas magnificent mpumalanga province. Scott balsons trip to south africa 7th september 2006. Gold and gold mining became the most important industry in south africa, driving the economy from that time until present. Mpumalanga means place of the rising sun and is the name given to the new province in eastern transvaal in 1993. The threestar royal hotel pilgrims rest is in the picturesque town of pilgrims rest. Featuring a spacious garden, the royal hotel pilgrims rest offers rooms in a victorian style complex of 10 annexes 1. The entire town of pilgrims rest has been declared a national monument. Pilgrims rest weather forecast, mpumalanga, south africa. We offer a unique experience for a tired traveller. Review of pilgrims rest whos who the heritage portal. Pilgrims rest was declared a gold field in 1873, soon after digger alec wheelbarrow patterson had found gold deposits in pilgrims creek. The entire village was declared a national monument as a living memory of the early gold rush days in south africa during the late 1800s early 1900s. In 1994 pilgrims rest came under the administration of the mpumalanga department of public works.
In the same week the minimum temperature will be 7. Each room has a late victorian decor, parquet floors and a private bathroom with a bath. This national monument is famous for its atmosphere and worldclass service and facilities. Pilgrims rest is situated on the magnificent panorama route of the mpumalanga province. We have pilgrims rest accommodations with prices starting at usd 11. However, you can take the taxi to nelspruit airport, fly to johannesburg, take the walk to or tambo airport, take the train to marlboro, then take the train to johannesburg. Along with it, estimate travel time from pretoria to pilgrims rest to calculate the time you will spend travelling. Pilgrims rest is situated on the magnificent panorama route on the eastern escarpment region of the mpumalanga province of south africa. She is the vicechair of the south african gold panners association. The royal hotel pilgrims rest south africa accommodation. The entire village was declared a national monument as a living memory of the early gold rush days in south africa during the late 1800s.
Pelgrimsrus is a small museum town in the mpumalanga province of south africa which is protected as a provincial heritage site. The 1902 gold veldpond xf example displayed below also known as the pilgrims rest coin is a remarkable coin struck by the boers on the run from the overwhelming british forces on a makeshift mint set up in the veld long grass in the remote region of pilgrims rest in the north eastern transvaal now known as. Pilgrims rest photo gallery page pilgrims rest history. News of the discovery triggered the first major gold rush in south africa and by the end of that year there were some 1 500 diggers working 4 000 claims in and around pilgrims rest. Robbers pass connects the little town of pilgrims rest to ohrigstad, a long tarred road rich in history with a particularly scenic landscape that boasts wild horses and the odd monument. Journey back to the days of the gold rush with a visit to the old mining town of pilgrims rest. Composed of authentic buildings dating back to the 19th century. We cant gurantee the accuracy andor they being up to date. The pilgrims rest gold rush was situated in one of the most beautiful and healthy settings of any gold rush in history. May 04, 2018 this video covers the essentials of the village of pilgrims rest its history and modern day challenges. With 4 listings in pilgrims rest, our handy pilgrims rest map search and great low prices, its easy to book the perfect holiday accommodation for your pilgrims rest visit. The history of pilgrims rest in mpumalanga south africa and information on pilgrims rest diggers and the 1873 gold rush. A mere 16km from graskop lies the historic mining town of pilgrims rest.
Pilgrims rest is a village situated on the magnificent panorama route on the eastern escarpment region of the mpumalanga province of south africa. A comprehensive site for tourist that describe all the things to see and do in pilgrims rest. Pilgrims rest travel guide with detailed information about pilgrims rest, attractions. The 1902 veld pond pilgrim s rest coin introduction. The rooms are clean and tidy and the beds are comfortable. Not only it is the birthplace of south africas gold rush but there are more than a couple of stories about robbers.
The old mining town of pilgrims rest in mpumalanga might once again return to its former glory. Today the whole village of pilgrims rest is a national monument and a living museum in memory of the early gold rush days in south africa. Pelgrimsrus is a small museum town in the mpumalanga province of south africa which is protected as a provincial. Top 10 hotels in pilgrims rest, south africa cancel free. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. In a continued effort to ensure the health and safety of all south african citizens and. Revisiting 33 years later i was once again reminded why i fell in love with this special place. Pilgrims rest museum things to do in pilgrims rest. Thanks to a group of citizens of the province who have taken it upon themselves to come up with an initiative aimed at attracting tourists to the town. This video covers the essentials of the village of pilgrims rest its history and modern day challenges. When entering the hotel, visitors are immediately taken on a nostalgiafilled trip into the past.
Largescale and profitable mining started with the discovery of a diamond on the banks of the orange river in 1867 by erasmus jacobs and the subsequent discovery and exploitation of the kimberley pipes a few years later. Here the atmosphere of the town has been successfully preserved, where gold was discovered over a century ago. What companies run services between pilgrims rest, south africa and johannesburg, south africa. Bloubergstrand, south africa 6 contributions 1 helpful vote pilgrims rest after visiting pilgrims rest for the first time after 8 years i must say i was disappointed. You can also order an extra breakfast at extra cost. Below are the number of accommodations by star rating in pilgrims rest and the surrounding area. The fort measures 40 meters north south down the slope. Jun 03, 2019 pilgrims rest is located on the tarred r533 route between the towns of graskop and ohrigstad in mpumalanga. Pilgrims rest pilgrims rest history pilgrims rest information. The history of the pilgrims rest gold fields dates back to ancient times when unknown miners worked the quartz reefs for gold. Pilgrims rest is a living musuem the entire town has been declared a national monument taking the visitors to the. Pilgrims rest south africa accommodation, hotels and travel. Alec wheelbarrow patterson struck it rich in a small stream, later named pilgrims creek.
If you are looking for pilgrims rest holiday accommodation, safarinow has a selection of hotel, holiday accommodation in pilgrims rest and surrounds. It should be viewed in conjunction with the videos on robbers pass and bonnet pass. Thaba tsweni lodge is situated 30km from pilgrims rest. Today its a quiet little tourist town, trying to preserve its rich and diverse history.
Weekly weather report for pilgrims rest, south africa. Pilgrims rest is not just preserving the history of south africa it is also a beautiful little town. Pilgrims rest graskop 2020 all you need to know before. Pilgrims rest is located on the tarred r533 route between the towns of graskop and ohrigstad in mpumalanga. Here, visitors can relive the days of the old transvaal gold rush. Pilgrims rest accommodation if you are looking for pilgrims rest holiday accommodation, safarinow has a selection of hotel, holiday accommodation in pilgrims rest and surrounds. Pilgrims rest village tour 2018 mountain passes of. In the 1840s gold was discovered in california, which created gold fever all over the world. A tribute to the printing industry, including historical front pages of local publications. The entire village is a tourist attraction, and was declared a national. The village was once brimming with life in the late 1800s, with eager prospectors swarming into the area to find alluvial gold.
With 4 listings in pilgrims rest, our handy pilgrims rest map search and great low prices, its easy to book the perfect holiday accommodation for your pilgrims rest. It includes part of the old transvaal and the former homeland kangwane, as well as parts of gazankulu and lebowa. Choose one of our 166 deals and get discounts of up to 20%. In 1986 the village was declared a national living museum in memory of the early gold rush days of south africa and is a major south african tourist venue. The historic village of pilgrims rest is an important part of the history of south africa, as the first ever gold rush in africa occurred here in 1873. Looking at the weather in pilgrims rest, south africa over the next 7 days, the maximum temperature will be 23. It was the second of the transvaal gold fields, attracting a rush of prospectors in 1873, soon after the macmac diggings started some 5 kilometres 3. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of africa s most advanced and richest economy. Pilgrims rest to johannesburg 4 ways to travel via train. The royal hotel pilgrims rest is situated in this historic and unspoiled gold mining village. A pilgrims rest offers you a marvelous possibility to time travel. Tour museums and historic sites to learn about the quest for gold in this part of south africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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