Afrikaans Language Monument

The Afrikaans Language Monument recognizes Afrikaans, one of South Africa's official languages. Afrikaans evolved from Dutch, the language spoken by Dutch immigrants who first arrived in southern Africa in the 1600s. The monument is located atop Paarl Mountain in Paarl, a town in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

The monument was created by architect Jan van Wijk. It is made up of many granite columns that vary in height. The monument also has a pool of water with a gushing fountain. The design was meant to represent the impact of different languages and cultures on Afrikaans, notably those of Africa and Malaysia.

The monument was inaugurated in 1975, 50 years after the South African government recognized Afrikaans as an official language and 100 years after an association to promote the language was founded in Paarl. The organization was known as the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners ("Society of True Afrikaners").

Location: Paarl