Bethlehem - Eastern Free State between Harrismith and Bloemfontein

Bethlehem is a town in the Free State Province of South Africa that is situated in a fertile valley of the Maluti Mountains on the N5 highway. It is a wheat growing area and hence the name Bethlehem (from "Beit Lechem", Hebrew for "house of bread"). The population of Bethlehem is around 70000

Bethlehem Accommodation

• Die Nes - B&B accommodation in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa
• Bread House B&B - Guest House accommodation in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa
• Fisant, Bokmakierie & Hoephoep
• Kukuzans Game Lodge
• Aan't Kloof B & B
• Hoogland Guest House
• More 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.