Bethlehem Accommodation
Scenery and Places of interest in Bethlehem
Bethlehem is the largest commercial, industrial and educational centre in
the eastern Free State and by tradition the northern terminus of the
‘mountain route’. The development of the town of Bethlehem was given a
boost when it was connected by rail to Bloemfontein, Harrismith and
Johannesburg. Approximately 8 kms from town there is a cairn of rocks very
significant to the Sotho people of Lesotho. On their way to work at the
Witwatersrand gold mines, the workers would drop a stone on the pile to ask
their ancestors to protect them from accidents in the mines. On the way home
across the border to Lesotho they would once again drop a stone on the pile
to thank their ancestors for a safe journey
The Bethlehem Museum is a socio-historical museum housed in the first
Mission Church (1906). Tel: (058) 303-5076
Interesting activities in and around Bethlehem include the following:
Hunting Packages, Watersports, National Hot Air Balloon Championship and Air
Show (takes place in April / May) as well as the OFM Classic International
Cycle Tour (October).
Bethlehem
Attractions and Resturants
- Baartman House An impressive collection of antiquated farming
implements, kitchen utensils, wood carvings and old leather
- Gracia Art Gallery A unique collection of Art & Sculptures from
the Eastern Free State. A must for Art collectors.
- Loch Athlone A well equipped recreational dam on the Jordaan
river, hosting regular regattas. The charming Athlone Castir restaurant is
a replica of the Union castle liner, including many items of original
furnishings.
- Nazareth Mission Church A noble church proundly storing local
costumes, needlework, furniture, procelain and other antiques in its
Cultural History Museum.
- Sotho Cairn Every day during the Gold Rush, Basotho labourers
placed a stone on this spot to ask the ancestors to prevent accidents, and
then another in thanks after returning unharmed. Now it acts as a
testimony to the workforce behind South Africa's Wealth.
- The Bethlehem Museum The history of this busy town is well
documented by wagons, furniture, horse carriages, farming implements and
an old steam locomotive.
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