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Kroonstad is situated on the banks of the willow lined Vals River approximately 200km south of Johannesburg along the N1.
Established in 1855, folklore has it that the town is named after a horse called Kroon (which means Crown), belonging to Voortrekker Sarel Cilliers. The horse is said to have drowned in a stream on the site of the present town, the stream being named Kroonspruit.
Kroonstad served briefly as the Boer capital of the Orange Free State (March 13 – May 11, 1900) after the fall of Bloemfontein during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902).
Sarel Cilliers
Sarel Arnoldus Cilliers was a Voortrekker leader and a preacher. With Andries Pretorius, he led the Boers to a huge victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838.
Cilliers led the Voortrekkers in a vow which promised that if God would protect them and deliver the enemy into their hands, the day of their victory would be commemorated every year as if it were a Sunday (see Reconciliation Day)
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The impressive Kroon Park Resort is situated on the banks of the Vals River. The beautiful scenery combined with the many leisure opportunities, including pools, waterslides, make this resort one of the most popular in the Free State.
The well-stocked Vals River provides excellent opportunities for anglers.
A caravan park and several camp sites on the banks of the river are frequented by both anglers and watersport enthusiasts.
Sarel Cilliers Museum houses an exhibition of Kroonstad's history. Sarel Cilliers' farmstead has been painstakingly restored.
Admirers of architect Sir Herbert Baker have a wonderful opportunity to view many buildings he designed in Kroonstad, among them the Post Office, the City Hall and The Standard Bank Building. Other lovely old buildings line Kroonstad’s streets, making for a picturesque amble through the town.
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