Heritage
A precinct worth protecting
Preparatory work for a Napier Heritage Conservation Plan began in 2021, covering every building in the Central Heritage Precinct and the wider municipal area.
The Inventory
Napier's first heritage inventory.
Napier was chosen in 2024 for a pilot study that will produce a Heritage Plan and Strategy for the wider Cape Agulhas Municipality. Heritage consultants compiled the first Napier Heritage Inventory, submitted to Heritage Western Cape in 2024 and approved in early 2025.
The inventory is due to be gazetted once the appeals and public participation process concludes — at which point every included property gains heritage protection according to its grading level.
The Central Heritage Precinct extends east and west of Sarel Cilliers Street, and includes every building 60 years and older.
Where protection applies
The Central Heritage Precinct, in three parts
SAREL CILLIERS ST
The main thoroughfare
Land use and building applications along this stretch require careful consideration, given the density of historically and architecturally significant buildings.
HOOG STREET
The original high road
Once the main thoroughfare through town, named for sitting "high up" — before Sarel Cilliers Street took over as Napier's principal road.
KLIPPEDRIFT RIVER CORRIDOR
The open space corridor
A conservation plan is in development for the river corridor, the commonages, and the Renosterveld conservation areas surrounding the village.
Join Us
Become a member
Residents of Napier with an interest in heritage or conservation are welcome to join the body and take part in its work.
Contribute
Share your story
If you hold historical documents, photographs, or stories about Napier and its residents, we would love to hear from you.