PARYS 150
ERFENISDAG
24 SEPTEMBER 2026
Namens Sentraal Vaal Kultuurgroepe
Kobie Ströh
DIE DORP PARYS GROEI (1876+)
Die dorp Parys het ontstaan in die middel van ‘n florerende landbougebied. Dit was ‘n gewilde uitspanplek vir waens en smouse voordat hulle die Vaalrivier moes oorsteek.
Entrepreneurs het vinnig die geleenthede raakgesien en kos, uitspanplek en verblyf mildelik aan reisigers gebied.
In 1880 het die goudstormloop na die Rand begin. Parys was op die belangrike roete tussen die Kaap en Johannesburg geleë en het vinnig gegroei om een van die grootste dorpe in die Vrystaat te word.
In 1882 het Parys munisipale status verkry.
Die verkeer deur die dorp het met die jare al hoe meer toegeneem. Teen 1915 kon die ou pont nie meer die verkeer hanteer nie en dit het dikwels tot vertragings en ongelukke gelei. ‘n Smal brug is toe oor die Vaalrivier gebou om die groeiende verkeer beter te akkommodeer.
PARYS IN 1933
In The Orange Free State: Agriculture, Industry, Urban Amenities, Union of South Africa van 1933 is Parys soos volg beskryf:
“Parys is one of the prettiest inland places in the whole of the Orange Free State, indeed, of the Union, for that matter. From a holidaymaker’s point of view it is almost perfect. The town itself, which covers quite a few square miles, is a riot of greenery enriched by a profusion of gardens in which the peach and pear, and other fruit trees, flourish exceedingly.
And the Vaal River, which is, of course, the greatest attraction, is here dotted with heavily-foliaged little islands in so unusual a manner that, were nought else, the ‘Green Isles of the Vaal,’ as they are often called, would alone make irresistible appeal to the brick-and-mortar-satiated townsman. Accommodation is frequently at a premium in Parys, especially during the year-end vacations. Not only the hotels on the township and along the river bank, but every bungalow in the park-like environs of the Vaal, are filled with happy parties intent on getting the most of their holiday.
It is a little world of its own here. Picnic parties in tents, family parties in bungalows, friendly parties in the hotels and boarding-houses mingle the whole day long on the river banks, in the boats, in the pleasant tea room overlooking the river, and at night on the dance floor adjoining.
A portion of the river immediately in front of the modern and commodious bathing pavilion has been marked off and graduated to afford safe swimming for even the youngest, and a little way down a rustic diving tower rears itself amid the willows. This is the venue for all and sundry during gala times, when competitions of many kinds are held to decide the prowess of a band of keen contestants.
Rowing and motor-boating along the placid lanes of the Vaal are among the most popular pastimes at Parys. The scenery is peculiarly suggestive of that of the Zambezi, and, if less romantic than that famous waterway, the river here is nonetheless ideal for the purpose of beguiling leisure hours of the day.
Apart from aquatic sports, Parys offers the usual outdoor games, including golf, tennis, and bowls, to which can be added the not altogether unexciting pastime of walking. Parys is a place in which to linger, a little haven of many delightful nooks that will gladden the heart of the photographer and inspire devotees of the brush and palette.”
Ongelukkig het die bou van die N1 en ‘n groot nuwe brug die verkeer om Parys herlei. Dit het die groei en ontwikkeling van die dorp belemmer.
Parys het egter vasgeskop en suksesvol voortbestaan. Vandag is dit steeds ‘n gewilde toerismebestemming met vakansieoorde, sport- en avontuurgeleenthede. Antieke winkeltjies, restaurante en eetplekke bied ‘n unieke kuiergeleentheid aan besoekers wat veral oor naweke na die dorp stroom.
Parys het met die jare ontwikkel tot ‘n bekende kunstenaarsdorp en avontuurbestemming.
En dit alles, aangrensend aan ‘n besonderse wêrelderfenisgebied.
Parys. ‘n Dorp met ‘n ryk verlede, ‘n besonderse erfenis en ‘n toekoms vol moontlikhede.
