Did you know that the Boshof Gates stand as one of the best-preserved Cape farm entrances from the 18th century? They whisper tales of a bygone era. The Boshof Gates are located in Newlands where Boshof Avenue meets Paradise Road.
Let’s step back in time. In 1666, Wouter Mostert received the Goed-en-Quaad farm on the Liesbeek River. Mostert was a miller and mason. By the late 17th century, Willem ten Damme, a chief surgeon, owned it. He also possessed the neighboring Boshof farm.
In 1786, Alexander van Breda acquired both farms. He renamed the entire complex Boshof. It’s believed that Van Breda constructed the gate at his house’s entryway. The gateway was erected in 1793. It is one of the few remaining structures from the old Goed-en-Quaad Estate.
Look closely at the neo-Classical style. The gate showcases graceful and impressive posts. Wide seams with pillars flank each side. The City of Cape Town owns this gate that leads to one of the oldest oaks in the Cape.
The municipal government restored the Boshof Gates in 1940. In 1941, it was declared a national monument. Today, it is a provincial heritage site. The Boshof Gates have witnessed centuries of change.
The Boshof estate saw further changes. The Fernglen neighborhood was founded in 1905. It was laid out on the eastern side of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Marvel at this enduring structure. A painting of the Boshof Gates resides in the William Fehr collection. You can find it housed in the Castle of Good Hope. Boshof House was built on a portion of the historic Boshof Farm. Alexander van Breda owned it. It dates from the early 19th century. Victorian features were added during the 1840s.
The Boshof Gates stand not just as an entrance. They are a portal to the past. They connect us to the stories of those who shaped this land.