Calvinia Post Box

About Calvinia Post Box

The small Northern Cape town of Calvinia may not be a buzzing urban hub of glitz and glamour, but it certainly has its own quaint appeal. And, part of this is its quirky post box.

This isn't any ordinary post box, of course. Yes, it's red and it functions like other post boxes. But, it is also just over 6 metres tall. That's taller than the average double-storey house. It was originally built as a water tower, which accounts for its gigantic proportions. It was situated on the Dutch Reformed Church's property, but ran into a state of disrepair. When the local doctor's wife said that she thought it looked like a post box, he appealed to the business chamber to convert it into one. The Post Office was on board with the initiative and provided the paint.

It operates as a functional post box, and every letter that gets posted here gets a hand-stamped flower on it. This is significant because Calvinia is one of the areas that erupt into bloom every year, as veld flowers blanket the whole of the Namaqualand.

The post box is a popular landmark and backdrop for excellent touristy photographs. In fact, it is the most photographed attraction in the town. It is situated on Hoop Street, which is also home to some beautiful historical buildings and a few restaurants, where locals and travellers can grab a bite and catch up with friends.

Calvinia is 470 kilometres north of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, and the international airport here.