On a hill atop Paarl, you will find the Taal Monument. Chances are at first glance you might be fooled into thinking it debris of a UFO. In trying to represent a strong Afrikaner identity, we are left with an unusual bit of Architecture overlooking Paarl Valley. This is the Taal Monument , completed in 1975 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Society of Real Afrikaners (strengthened Afrikaners identity), and the semi-centenary of Afrikaans being declared an official language.

The monument constitutes various tapering curved structures, symbols of how Afrikaans has been influenced by different cultures and languages and the political nature of the country. Concerts and events are held at the open air stadium at the foot of the building.

Did you know?
South African billionaire Johann Rupert withdrew advertising (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc) from the magazine British design magazine Wallpaper when it described Afrikaans as the ugliest language in the world in its September 2005 article about the Monument.
"Afrikaans is the language that connects Western Europe and Africa... It forms a bridge between the large, shining West and the magical Africa... And what great things may come from their union – that is maybe what lies ahead for Afrikaans to discover. But what we must never forget, is that this change of country and landscape sharpened, kneaded and knitted this newly-becoming language... And so Afrikaans became able to speak out from this new land... Our task lies in the use that we make and will make of this gleaming vehicle..." N.P. van Wyk Louw

"If we plant a row of poles down this hall now, ten poles, to represent the last ten years, and on each pole we make a mark at a height from the floor corresponding to the relative written use of Afrikaans in the respective year, and we draw a line, from the first here near the floor to the last over there against the loft, then the line would describe a rapidly rising arc, not only quickly rising, but rising in a quickly increasing manner. Let us now, in our imagination, extend the arc for the ten coming years from now. See you, sirs, where the point shall be, outside in the blue sky high over Bloemfontein, in the year 1924." - C.J. Langenhoven

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN PAARL:

Afrikaans Language Museum:
In keeping with the monument, visit Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum. The roots of the language have African, Asian and European origin.

Drakenstein Olywe:
Natural fermentation and preservation of olives make for nutritious products.Olive tasting by arrangement.

Hiking Trails:
A variety of hikes: a two-day trail, Limietberg Trail; Donkerkloof - about 3km to the small waterfall on Du Toitskloof Pass; Paarl Mountain Nature reserve has many trails; also a unique Wine Hiking Trail that Laborie Estate offers.

Off the Wall Gallery:
A contemporary gallery and design studio exhibiting a fusion of various creative disciplines.

Wineland Ballooning:
Take a stunning hot air balloon trip over the Berg River Valley!