Welcome to Old Belvidere - a part of Knysna with an old history! This is a multi cache with 5 stations that will take you in a circle through the quaint village on foot (about 20 -30 minutes) or you can also drive if in a rush, to finally find a physical cache at the final destination. It contains nothing but a logbook, so pleaae BRING YOUR OWN PEN.
We hope you will enjoy learning about Old Belvidere’s history, founders, and maybe seeing some lovely birdlife and indigenous fauna.
- historical information extracted from “A vista and a vision” by Patricia Storrar, 1993 published by Rutherford Publications, and provided by local residents -
Start : “Holy Trinity Church", Prayer Walk
The history of Old Belvidere:
You are standing on the grounds of the original Farm “Uitzigt” (view), which comprised all of the Western Head from Brenton on Sea, Brenton on Lake to Belvidere. In 1830 George Rex, a retired lawyer and vice admiral of the Cape of Good Hope under British occupation, bought the land for £680 named it “Belvidere” from the Italian words ‘bella’ (beautiful) and ‘vedere’ (to see). The livelihoods of this piece of land was originally crops and cattle farming.
George Rex went on to become the biggest landowner in Knysna with 10,000 hectares altogether and a leading timber merchant. Thanks to his efforts the Port of Knysna was proclaimed in 1817. He is also known as the founder of Knysna.
In 1834 he sold the farm to his son-in-law, Lt. Thomas Henry Duthie (both names you will come across a lot in Knysna and Belvidere - some descendants still reside in town today) for £750, who had married George Rex’s 2nd daughter Caroline whom he had met in 1830 while traveling in the Cape on a hunting trip. Duthie attempted salting fish to send to the Cape as well as Angora goat farming.
Thomas Henry Duthie became Supervisor of Crown Forests and Lands in 1838. He went on to erect several buildings on the farm including Belvidere House (which today is Belvidere Manor Hotel, Bell Tavern and beer garden) in 1848. The layout for a new township on the land (which is today ‘Old Belvidere’) was undertaken with the Holy Trinity Church as the focal point as well as 157 plots for buildings and commonages, in order to gather like-minded people and sociable contacts around their farm where there were not many neighbors around and visitors rare.
Holy Trinity Church:
Holy Trinity Church was built because the Duthies found they needed a clergyman at Belvidere to minister to the family and provide spiritual guidance to the newly forming community. It was built in the style of a Norman church of the 11th century after church plans from Durham County, brought here from England by talented draughtswoman Sophia Gray, the wife of newly appointed bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray - there are roads named after them here as well.
The construction began in 1851, the bricks were brought from England, the sandstones covering the outside of the brick walls are from local sandstone. The floors are from stink- and yellowwood from surrounding forests - Knysna was meanwhile a major timber market.
The pulpit is carved from one solid piece (the first one tilted on the barge and fell into the lagoon), dragged to the site by oxen-drawn sledge.
The still original bell was forged in London by the same company that later went on to forge the bell for Westminster Abbey! It was also dropped into the lagoon where it stayed several months before it could be retrieved and installed.
The roof is covered by some 3,000 slates, shipped from England by a 170 ton vessel that moored at Belvidere to discharge its cargo. The stained glass windows are of outstanding quality.
Total cost at consecration in 1855 was 900 pounds mostly to Mr. Duthie who constructed it with the help of his own workmen. He died only 2 years later at age 51, leaving behind his wife Caroline and 12 children.
The church was restored in 1932-33 and the bell tower re-built in 1987 when cracks were discovered and the bell brackets had rusted away. It is today a National Monument.
Take a walk around the cemetery and a peak into the tiny church (open 8:30-5pm except during service) to marvel at its architecture.
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Waypoint 1) and start of your tour is toward the little gate on the side of the church, in the direction of the big wooden cross.
“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying “this is the way: walk in it”. (IS _ _ : _ _ )
Add up the digits of the Bible verse. A = ?
Waypoint 2 is at:
S 34 02.(A)01 E 022 59.(A+2)(A+1)2
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The “Avenue” was planted of oaks and gum trees. This gate linked via the avenue the Belvidere House (their family home) to the church. Today it is the gateway between the newer Belvidere Estate (layout and construction started in 1987) and the historic Old Belvidere, developed from1848 onwards.
When were the trees planted on “Belvidere Avenue”? Use the 3rd digit .
B = ?
Waypoint 3 is at:
S 34 02.(B)7(B)
E 023 00.01(B+3)
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Another of the oldest buildings in this village, Rose Cottage was built for Thomas Henry Duthie and hosted over time amongst others the local school master. It has seen many additions and alterations over time. The signage of the Knysna Historical Society will give you more information.
Add missing digits: In which year was the cottage completed? C84D
(From here to the next waypoint there is a little turn-off to the right that leads you to a little pond and a beautiful view of the Knysna Estuary. Take a look and enjoy lots of local birds breeding, feeding and building nests here!)
Waypoint 4 is at:
S 34 02.4(C + D)3
E 023 00.03(D-1)
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Built in 1854, this house (The Old Rectory) was initially built to house the artisans who built the church (stonemasons) and later was the rectory for 6 months only. A member of the Duthie family as well as the school master also lived here at some point.
What is the number of this house? E = ?
Waypoint 5 is at:
S 34 02.3(E)9. E 023 00.04(E+1)
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Ferry House was where, before the first bridge was bulit over the Knysna River in 1894, all travelers crossed over by boat and ships loaded and unloaded (goods, wood for trade shipped down the river to be exported, building material for Holy Trinity Church, etc.). The old Inn and Store were demolished in the early 1900s. The quaint Ferry House sadly burned down in the Great Knysna Fires on June 7, 2017 and was replaced with a modern dwelling.
When was Ferry House built? F = the last digit.
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The final cache is at:
S 34 02.37(F+2)
E 023 00.0(F-4)1
Take a seat, enjoy the view, nature and abundance of birds and the short walk on back to the church and your car!