Reflections on the artistic tourist town of Knysna – south coast of Africa

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the south coast of Africa is a town called Knysna. It lies at the heart of the Garden Route region, and with it’s massive lagoon leading out to the Indian ocean, it is a truly epic destination for international travelers.

I managed to capture some of the interesting wall murals in the town center recently, which give one a glimpse, not only of the interesting sites and indigenous flora or fauna, but also showcase the artistic inclinations of this picturesque tourist resort for us to admire.

This town, with its odd name of Knysna (pronounced with a silent K), was once known for its woodwork and timber activities. After all, it lies at the border of the once massive Knysna forest, an indigenous mass of fine yellowood and other trees which graced thus area for probably thousands of years before the European settlers eventually came to harness its timber treasure.

Originally the timber was probably used for ship building in those days when ships were giant wooden vehicles that conveyed people and riches from the far east around these south Cape shores, to the UK and other European kingdoms, like the Dutch, and before that the Portuguese. Now the forest is only about 3% of its original size and majesty.

Sadly also, much of the prize rare indigenous trees have been cut down. They were already hundreds of years old when the settlers moved in around the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Still today one can find the single rare yellowood tree marked as a tourist feature in some parts of the surrounding forest, which is now around 600 years old or thereabouts. These trees are massive and impressive to behold.

Thus the town of Knysna was once a major timber supply as well as a crafts center for wood carving and sculpture. Since the wood has lessened over time, artists now display their skills in other fine ways in this fascinating town, full of galleries and art studios. The murals in today’s photos are just a glimpse of the artistic style of the locals.

Also, these murals display some of the epic tourist-related features of the town, like the amazing whale watching opportunities all along this coastline in the southern winter. In fact the whales will be arriving any day now to these southern shores to give birth to their young. You will love the experience of seeing the world’s biggest mammals sporting in the ocean just off-shore.

Add to that the fact that the Knysna forest was once the home to the mighty African elephant. Today most of the elephants are gone, though you can still glimpse them in the select parks in the area or further inland. In other words, this town was once the place where the largest sea mammals and the largest land mammals in the world would meet annually. Now that’s something to experience!

The mural art that I captured on Knysna’s town walls shows some epic features of the local indigenous flora and fauna. It also displays the famous Knysna Heads, the point where the large lagoon flows out to the ocean. It is an entry point for sailing vessels, and makes for an epic sight – the east and west head rising to form the channel out to sea.

Thus the Knysna town and its lagoon have been a port of call for centuries, and made perfect shelter for sailing vessels as they rounded the southern coast of Africa, or if they needed refreshments or repairs, thanks to all the timber available.

Nowadays much of the land is sold or hired out to international EU nations for their pine plantations. Masses of pine monoculture crop grow all around Knysna, to be sent to the EU for their needs. Such is the way of the world. Nevertheless, the stunning view and surroundings of Knysna are as picturesque as ever, and I highly recommend a visit when you get the chance to explore these idyllic southern shores.

(photos my own)

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