Historic Blaauwklippen Manor House Destroyed in Devastating Fire

One of the oldest wine farms in Stellenbosch, the iconic Blaauwklippen Manor House, was tragically gutted by a fierce blaze on Sunday morning. The fire, driven by relentless gale-force winds in the Western Cape, caused significant damage.

According to the management of Blaauwklippen, the fire originated at a neighboring farm in the early hours of Sunday and quickly spread to some of Blaauwklippen Estate’s historic structures. The Manor House, Jonkershuis, and the recently built Cathedral were all consumed by the flames, reducing them to ruins.

The swift response of six firefighting teams, including Blaauwklippen’s Disaster Management team and crews from neighboring farms, helped contain the fire’s spread. This incident was one of five fires that occurred in the area.

The Cape Winelands District Municipality dispatched firefighting teams to assist the Stellenbosch Municipality in extinguishing the fire. The joint efforts of these teams were crucial in managing the ferocious blaze.

Blaauwklippen, with its origins dating back to 1682, holds significant historical value in Stellenbosch. The Jonkershuis, built in 1720, the Manor House in 1789, and the Cathedral, completed in 2018, are all part of the estate’s rich heritage.