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Kroonstad is situated on the banks of the willow lined Vals
River approximately 200km south of Johannesburg
along the N1.
Established in 1855, folklore has it that the town is named after a
horse called Kroon (which means Crown), belonging to
Voortrekker Sarel Cilliers. The horse is said to
have drowned in a stream on the site of the present
town, the stream being named Kroonspruit.
Kroonstad served briefly as the Boer capital of the Orange
Free State (March 13 – May 11, 1900) after the fall of
Bloemfontein during the South African War
(Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902).
Sarel Cilliers
Sarel Arnoldus Cilliers was a Voortrekker leader and
a preacher. With Andries Pretorius, he led the Boers
to a huge victory over the
Zulus at the
Battle of
Blood River in 1838.
Cilliers led
the Voortrekkers in a vow which promised that if God
would protect them and deliver the enemy
into their hands, the day of their victory would be
commemorated every year as if it were a Sunday (see
Reconciliation Day)
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The impressive Kroon Park Resort is situated
on the banks of the Vals River. The beautiful
scenery combined with the many leisure
opportunities, including pools, waterslides, make this resort
one of the most popular in the Free State.
The well-stocked Vals River provides
excellent opportunities for anglers.
A caravan park and several camp sites on
the banks of the river are frequented by
both anglers and watersport enthusiasts.
Sarel Cilliers Museum houses an exhibition
of Kroonstad's history. Sarel Cilliers' farmstead
has been painstakingly restored.
Admirers of architect
Sir Herbert Baker have a wonderful
opportunity to view many buildings he designed
in Kroonstad, among them the Post Office, the City
Hall and The Standard Bank Building. Other lovely old buildings
line Kroonstad’s streets,
making for a picturesque amble through the town.
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