Grahamstown has more than 70 declared National Heritage sites.
One of these is the highest church spire in the country, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect of many famous buildings of the Victorian era, including the Albert Memorial in London's Kensington Gardens and St Pancras Station in London.
Grahamstown remains an important educational and cultural centre today, with easy access to game reserves and the unspoilt beaches of the Sunshine Coast. The surrounding area is farmed, largely for chicory, pineapples, ostriches, sheep and game. The city is also an important legal centre.
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape:The charm of the small cathedral city of Grahamstown owes much to history. Set in the heart of Settler Country, outstanding examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, more than 40 churches and several fine museums are among Grahamstowns attractions. click here for more information
The History Museum in Grahamstown reflects the early history of black and white settlers and provides a genealogical service to researchers all over the world. The Observatory Museum houses the only camera obscura in the southern hemisphere.
The National Arts Festival
Every July the National Arts Festival transforms the tranquil city of Grahamstown into a boisterous, bubbling platform for the performing and visual arts. Dancers and singers, musicians, actors, writers and poets and thousands of festival-goers converge to celebrate the arts. Performances and exhibitions, forming part of the Main and Fringe Festivals range from cutting edge to classical, illuminating new trends and inviting fresh insights to the familiar. Shop at the Village Green Fair, take Art walkabouts with expert guides, acquire new skills in the Craftart workshops, learn more about specialised subjects at the Winter School or treat yourself to the best Film Festival. Watch out for wild and wacky antics on the streets of Grahamstown, when performing artists from South Africa and abroad present delightful ingenious tales of life from around the world. For indulgence, stimulation and entertainment, South Africa’s premier arts event is just the thing to chase away the wintry blues.
