A cannon, transported here from Namibia and used during The Anglo Boer War, stands sentry in Vrede village square. This is a strange choice of monument for a settlement with a name meaning “Peace”.

After a lengthy quarrel between the Voortrekkers as to its exact location, the scenic little town of Vrede was eventually established in 1867 and nestles in a valley 20 kilometres east of the N3, the main highway between Gauteng and Harrismith. The town serves a large and productive rural community.

On the outskirts of the town lies the Vrede Marina, a scenic recreational dam where anglers, power boat enthusiasts and water skiers often gather.

The Vrede townspeople erected a huge granite monument in 1938 to commemorate the ox wagon trek of 1838. Two war memorials can be viewed in front of the Dutch Reformed Church: A Burghers Memorial to fallen Boers and a Memorial Garden honouring British soldiers.

Visitors to Vrede will enjoy the relaxed charm of this beautiful little village in the north eastern corner of the Free State.