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Date: 1858 Type: School Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 33°43'58.35" S 18°57'44.64" E Alt: 123m

The school was opened on 12 January 1858 with three teachers. The abundant Egyptian influence is attributed to the archaeological interests of VAN DER LINGEN, who's favourite pastime was deciphering hieroglyphs. There are many relief friezes depicting Egyptian figures. (Fransen 2004:258) In spite of being declared an Historic Monument the interior of the Gymnasium has suffered mutilation. There is little left of the fittings save for a few doors and the inside shutters. The ceilings have been obliterated by shoddy boarding and little remains to charm the eye. (Picton-Seymour 1977:141) It was declared a National Monument in 1968, and is now a Provincial Heritage Site. Books and articles that reference Gymnasium Fransen, Hans. 2004. The old buildings of the Cape. A survey of extant architecture from before c1910 in the area of Cape Town - Calvinia - Colesberg - Uitenhage. Johannesburg & Cape Town: Jonathan Ball Publishers. pg 258 Oberholster, JJ. 1972. The historical monuments of South Africa. Cape Town: Rembrandt Van Rijn Foundation for Culture at the request of the National Monuments Council. pg 90 Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1977. Victorian Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: AA Balkema. pg 141