Corbel Houses 

The corbel house is regarded as the first architectural style in the north-west Karoo, and is unique in that it is built entirely of stone, with flat stones (which formed a scaffolding) protruding from a domed roof. These beehive-shaped stone structures were built by the Trekboers for a lack of wood for trusses, and they are found only in European areas with a Mediterranean climate.

Back to Fraserburg picture gallery

Corbel houses with their threshing floor (above) may be seen on the farm Louwseplaas. 

Example of a Corbel house in the park opposite the Old Rectory Museum