Overview

Swellendam lies at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains along the Koornlands River. Known for its Cape Dutch architecture, historic Drostdy, and oak-lined streets, the town reflects its origins as an early administrative and farming centre of the Cape Colony. The old town layout takes the form of an irregular river-ribbon town and is defined by both the path of the Koornlands River and the route of the old Cape wagon route. Today, Swellendam is bypassed by the N2 but still serves as a gateway to the Overberg’s farms, nature reserves, and mountain landscapes.

Map Design and Paper

The map is an original creation by our design studio at Africa Map Art. Data for this map has been compiled from various up-to-date sources including from the OpenStreetMap contributors. The map is available in the following two paper options and canvas: a high quality 210gsm heavyweight coated paper with a matte finish, which achieves excellent colour and resolution and is perfect for framing;  a 260gsm photo paper with a smooth satin finish;  and a 350gsm strengthened canvas. All of the options are shipped in a cardboard roll for protection. The canvas is unstretched and unframed.

We welcome personalisation and customisation requests, such as highlighting of specific buildings or features, adjusting the colour scheme, or the addition of text and images.  Please contact us for a quote.

History

Founded in 1745, Swellendam is the third-oldest colonial settlement in the Cape and served as an early administrative centre for the vast eastern districts of the colony. In 1795, local burghers briefly established the short-lived Republic of Swellendam, reflecting frontier tensions during the final years of Dutch rule at the Cape. The town later developed as a farming and trade hub, leaving a legacy of Cape Dutch architecture and historic civic buildings that still shape its character today.