"Grahamstown - City of Saints" a Grahamstown Travel Page by Kurtdhis

Grahamstown is situated in a temperate valley between the coastal plain and the hinterland of the Eastern Cape. Its position 60km from the coast and 535m above sea level endows Grahamstown with a mild climate, which is famous for its changeablity: locals claim it is possible to experience all four seasons in a single day. Grahamstown is 127km from Port Elizabeth and 180km from East London. An airstrip links the city to the rest of the country and several long-distance bus companies include Grahamstown on their schedule.

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Grahamstown was founded in 1812 as a military outpost. Its unique atmosphere is a result of its long and varied history. This is frontier country where people of Khoisan, Xhosa, Boer and British origin met. The result was a fascinating history that influenced the subsequent events that took place in South Africa. The longest and most expensive colonial war ever fought by the British against the indigenous people in Africa took place in frontier country, which has more forts than the rest of South Africa combined. It is where people of British origin first settled in Africa, and where the philosophy of African Nationalism was first developed.

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Known as South Africa’s festival capital, Grahamstown at present celebrates 6 festivals, of which the largest and most colourful event is the Arts Festival. It offers the best of both indigenous and imported talent, with well over 500 000 people flocking to the city for a feast of arts, crafts and sheer entertainment. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, cabaret, jazz and drama to stand-up comics and folk music.

Grahamstonians are proud of their city’s historical heritage, a pride that is evident in the care taken to preserve and enhance the many historic buildings which endure to this day. Prominent among these are the city’s many places of worship – over 40 – which testify to the variety of cultures which coexist in the city, the premises of Rhodes University and several excellent schools, all of which lend the city its air of cultural diversity.