Situated in the very heart of South Africa’s shimmering Lake District is the historical town of Chrissiesmeer, otherwise known as Lake Chrissie, which is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, measuring seven kilometers in length and three kilometres in width.
It is believed that the Chrissiesmeer area was first inhabited by the San people thousands of years ago. They left an abundance of fascinating rock paintings and engravings on the walls of their caves and shelters. However it is the more recent Tlou-tle who inspired the most well-known legends.
This cosy and usually sleepy town wakes up every year for the re-enactment of the bloody Battle of Chrissiesmeer which becomes quite the event as hundreds of enthusiasts dress in the appropriate Imperial British and Republican Boer uniforms and attire, and begin staging pitched battles across the landscape.
Chrissiesmeer hosts a Wild Flower Festival in December and January.
Historical attractions include the Dumbarton Oaks Hotel built in the late 1800s, Billiard Cottage and the Welgelegen Farm.
- Dumbarton Oaks hotel
- Billiard cottage
- Welgelegen farm
- Wild flower festival
- Lake Chrissie
The Tlou-tle settled in this area approximately 1 500 years ago and instead of building the more traditional stone walled refuges, they built enormous floating villages on the large glistening lakes. This phenomenal and rather brilliant idea allowed the people in times of war to float entire villages to the safe centre of the lakes. In addition, it enabled fishermen to move the village around and follow the fish.
In the 1800’s, white colonialists conquered the area and soon began building with local sandstone. Many of these amazing buildings are still in use today and can be visited. There are also numerous sandstone bridges and other ruins dotted along the countryside that can be viewed.
