Explore Nieu-Bethesda

the Owl House - South Africa (I have never been here, but I hope to see it one day) *Helen Martins' art was greeted with derision and suspicion from the village. Known to the residents of Nieu-Bethesda as 'Miss Helen' and thought of as a strange and rather outlandish character, she shied away from general contact, and began transforming her house and garden. Despite crippling arthritis, and the amputation of her small toes which left her unable to wear anything but slip-ons on her…

Compassberg in the distance Karoospace provides a Gentle Guide to Karoo Roadtripping

Kompasberg

Come in #Sight2SeeInTheKaroo Cement Statue welcoming guests at the Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda #ExploreTheKaroo #Roadtrip

For many decades, the little village of Nieu-Bethesda in the Sneeuberg Mountains was a dead-quiet place where very little happened. The spring-fed water furrows (leivoere) gurgled through Nieu-Bethesda, there were lots of donkey carts and survival was hard for most of the villagers.

The Cementary of Nieu-Bethesda - Graves date back to the late 1700's and the Anglo Boer War. A number of old graves have tombstones made from local rock slabs. The oldest is dated 1786.

Cement Owls synonymous with Nieu Bethesda #Sight2SeeInTheKaroo

Athol Fugard play - The Road to Mecca featured Nieu-Bethesda and swung the spotlight on the life of one Helen Martins and the Owlhouse she lived in. In the years that followed, the Owlhouse became a strong Karoo icon. You ventured down these valleys to the village, took a walk around the Owlhouse and the Camel Yard, heard about Auntie Helen and spent the rest of the time savouring the fresh air and delicious water.

Annual Lantern Festival held in Nieu-Bethesda - Pic by Karoo Space

Swimming in a farm dam - Must be on everyone's Bucket List. Ganora Guest Farm has the ideal spot to do it. #ExploretheKaroo