MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex is situated on Market Street in Mossel Bay and is named after the master mariner, explorer and presumably the first European man to set foot on South African soil in 1488.

A life-size replica of his caravel can be visited in the museum.

A visit to the museum typically starts off in The Granary which offers visitors a specimen table that depicts the wide variety of flora and fauna indigenous to the greater Mossel Bay area.

Mossel Bay is also renowned for The Post Tree, one of the oldest attractions and also one of the most recognised landmarks. In 1500 Pedro de Ataide, commander of one of Cabral’s ships, on his return journey from the east, left a letter of importance in a shoe under a large tree. This very tree has since become a post-collection point and is still, to this day used in this manner.

Also in the museum complex is the Shell Museum, which was erected in 1902 next to the Post Office Tree as an extension to the old mill and was mainly used as a store.

In later years Mr Joe Shirley used the building for his plumbing business, after which it became known as the “Shirley Building”.

The braille trail in the lovely museum garden makes it accessible to visually-impaired visitors: they can read about, feel and smell the wonderful collection of indigenous plants along the way. The grounds have many quiet areas where visitors can take in the view of the white sandy beach of Munro’s Bay.

The museum is situated near Santos Beach, shops, restaurants, banks and the tourist information centre. Inside the Maritime Museum is a shop where postcards, stamps, books, souvenirs and small gifts can be bought.

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