Bethulie brings together local history and memorial sites with distinctive bridges; nearby, a route past unusual rock formations adds another dimension. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish the themes in Bethulie from an excursion to the Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve. This way, you can decide whether to focus on the historic town and its structures or also include the reserve’s landscape.
Bridges and Transport History
The DH Steyn Bridge is 1.2 kilometres long, connects the Free State with the Cape, and is a combined road and railway bridge. Its length and dual modes of transport give the structure a clear engineering focus. Visitors who also view Bethulie through the lens of infrastructure encounter a different side of the destination than they do at its museums and memorial sites: here, the focus is on a link that brings road and rail together.
At Bethulie Drift, the stone bridge over the Gariep River opened to traffic in March 1879; today it is called Hennie Steyn Bridge. The opening date provides a precise historical reference point, while the present-day name adds its current designation. Whereas the DH Steyn Bridge is described by its length and combined road and railway function, the dated opening to traffic is the focus for the bridge at Bethulie Drift. The bridge theme thus spans both function and the area’s transport history.
Local History and Remembrance
Bethulie was founded in 1863. Pellissier House Museum was originally built in the 1830s and presents the history of the area, including the Anglo-Boer War. The house was therefore built before the town was founded. This timeline helps put things in context: 1863 marks the founding of Bethulie, while the history of the house goes back further. At the same time, the museum’s presentation covers the history of the area, providing a broader perspective than the story of a single building.
Bethulie’s Concentration Camp Memorial Site commemorates the thousands who died in the camp. A shell collection in Bethulie commemorates the victims of the Anglo-Boer War. These offer different ways to engage with history: Pellissier House Museum presents the history of the area, the memorial commemorates those who died in the camp, and the collection is connected to the war’s victims. This distinction can help you choose between regional history and specific forms of remembrance.
A Trip to the Klipstapels
Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve is 15 kilometres from Bethulie, along the R701. A 4×4 route in the reserve passes the unusual rock formations known as the Klipstapels. Unlike Bethulie’s historic sites, the focus here is on the route and the rock formations. This excursion complements the cultural and bridge themes with a focus on the landscape and can be added to your travel plans as a separate option.
Discover more destinations: Petrusburg, Smithfield, Rouxville, Jacobsdal, Bethel, Springfontein, Gariepdam, Rietrivier
For the wider travel overview: Xhariep.
