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1.
History
The
road
from
Amalienstein
in the
Klein
Karoo
penetrates
the
Klein
Swartberge
through
the
Seweweekspoort
(Seven
Weeks
Poort),
possibly
one
of the
most
awe-inspiring
and
spectacular
of all
the
mountain
ravines
in South
Africa.
To get
to Seweweekpoort
from
Ladismith,
drive
23km
east
on Route62
untill
you
see
the
roadsign
indicating
the
road
to the
Poort.
This
sign
will
be on
your
left.
Nobody
can
blame
the
author
and
poet
C Louis
Leipoldt
for
calling
it one
of the
"seven
wonders"
of the
old
Cape
Colony.
The
magnificent
vertical
rockfolds,
reaching
for
the
skies
on both
sides
of the
road,
reflect
the
inconceivable
forces
of the
volcanic
eruptions
millions
of years
ago,
forming
the
chain
of Cape
ripple-like
mountains.
Often
the
converging
slopes
leave
only
a narrow
pass,
just
broad
enough
for
the
Huis
River
to pass
through,
whilst
the
precipices
of naked,
distorted
rock-faces
tower
like
walls
of a
natural
rampart,
obscuring
the
sun.
During
1859
the
authorities
decided
to build
a gorge
through
the
Poort.
The
initial
work
was
done
by a
team
of convicts,
without
the
presence
of a
road-engineer.
Progress
was
slow
and
in 1860
AF
de Smidt,
brother-in-law
of the
renowned
pass-builder
Thomas
Bains,
took
charge
of the
operations.
The
road
was
completed
in 1862.
The
gorge
winds
for
17km
through
the
mountains
at a
level
of 600-1000m
above
sea-level.
It crosses
the
stream
23 times,
whilst
the
mountain
slopes
on both
sides
reach
1500m
to 2000m.
2.
The Name
There are several stories explaining the origin
of the name: it took seven weeks for mounted troops to escourt a gang
of of highway robbers, being banished from Barrydale, through the Poort;
or for the authorities to catch a stock-thief who fled into the mountains;
or for a gang of brandy smugglers to return through the Poort from Beaufort
West. It was even suggested that it was named after a missionary, Rev
Zerwick and that the locals could not
pronounce his name. Most authorities though accept that the name is derived
from the that of the Seven-weeks
fern (Romohra adiantiformis), called ‘Seweweeksvaring’ in
Afrikaans, which is found in moist places and crevices.
3.
Ghostly Tale...
The ruins of the old toll-house can be seen
on the northern entrance to the Poort. According to legend, the ghost
of one of the first toll-gate keepers can be seen on dark, stormy nights.
He appears with his lantern, stopping motorists. As soon as they stop,
he disappears, as mysteriously as he appeared!
4.
Flora
The Protea Aristata, a very rare protea species,
was rediscovered in the 1950's, after it was believed for quite some time
that it had become extinct. This protea flowers in December and in spring
the aloes are in bloom. Other protea species were also found on the higher
slopes.
The Poort is dominated on the western side by the Seven Weeks Poort
peak, at 2325m being the highest in the Klein Swartberge.
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