Owl House

The Owl House is a unique and haunting art environment created by Helen Martins in the remote village of Nieu-Bethesda. Following the death of her parents, Martins began transforming her home and garden into a visionary world of glass and concrete sculptures. Between 1945 and 1976, she and local workmen, most notably Koos Malgas, created hundreds of figures including owls, camels, and pilgrims. The interior of the house is decorated with crushed glass of various colors, which Martins used to capture and reflect light in the dim rooms. The site, known as the "Camel Yard," reflects her deep obsession with themes of light, spirituality, and distant lands. After her death, the Owl House was preserved as a museum and was later declared a National Heritage Site. It has since become a world-renowned example of "outsider art," attracting visitors who are moved by its eccentric beauty and the story of its creator's isolation.

Nearby cities

Gqeberha

Formerly known as Port Elizabeth, this coastal city is a major hub for the South African automotive industry.

East London

South Africa's only river port city is situated at the mouth of the Buffalo River on the Indian Ocean.

Kariega

Formerly called Uitenhage, this industrial town is heavily involved in the production of cars and tires.

Mthatha

Formerly known as Umtata, it was the capital of the Transkei and is deeply connected to the history of Nelson Mandela.

Bhisho

This small town serves as the administrative capital of the Eastern Cape province and houses government buildings.

Komani

A town surrounded by mountains, historically designed as a strategic outpost.

Makhanda

Previously known as Grahamstown, the city is famous for its educational institutions and annual arts festival.

Graaff-Reinet

The fourth-oldest town in the country, enclosed by a bend of the Sundays River, full of Cape Dutch architecture.

Aliwal North

The town on the Orange River is mostly known for its hot mineral springs, drawing many visitors.

Cradock

A historic gem in the heart of the Karoo, renowned for its Victorian architecture and as a gateway to the Mountain Zebra National Park.

Jeffreys Bay

World-renowned as a surfer's paradise, this town offers endless beaches, famous waves, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere.

Port Alfred

Port Alfred is a vibrant coastal town situated on the Kowie River, offering magnificent beaches and a bustling marina.

Gonubie

A scenic coastal town near East London in South Africa's Eastern Cape, known for its river mouth and sandy beaches.

Bushman's River Mouth

Bushman's River Mouth is a picturesque coastal town on the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its spectacular river estuary.

Port Edward

Port Edward is a popular resort town on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, near the border with the Eastern Cape.

History & landmarks

Port Elizabeth City Hall

A historic government building featuring a prominent clock tower in the center of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

Addo

World-famous for its Elephant National Park, Addo offers unparalleled wildlife safaris in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) featuring a distinctive roof design.

More places

Sneeuberge

Mountain range near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.

Karoo Semi-desert

A vast arid plateau in the country's interior.

Mountain Zebra National Park

A park for the protection of mountain zebras.

Mountain Zebra National Park

Conservation area for the rare South African mountain zebra.

Suurberg Mountains

A mountain range in the Addo Elephant National Park area.

Baviaanskloof Valley

A spectacular, deeply incised valley.

Winterberg

A mountain region in the Eastern Cape with cooler temperatures.

Addo Elephant National Park

A well-known park for its elephant herds.