Located at Masitise in Quthing district, is the Cave House built in 1866-7 by Rev. David Ellenberger a missionary of the Parish Evangelical Missionary Society, who was invited to the place by chief Moorosi of Baphuthi.
The three roomed cave house was used as a home by the Ellenberger family where some of his children were born. There is a negative dinosaur foot print on the ceiling of the large room. The cave house has been turned into a museum with exhibits of artefacts of the people who lived in the area. Rock paintings can also be found at a nearby place.
MASITISE CAVE HOUSE MUSEUM
Masitise Cave House
built in 1866
Home of Reverend David Frederic Ellenberger
The Cave House was built between 1866 and 1867 by Reverend D.F. Ellenberger after the second Basotho-Boar War forced him to move his family south of the Orange River onto the lands of Chief Moorosi. He was given permission to settle where he pleased. He came upon the site of the Cave House which has once been used as a shelter by Chief Moorosi's shepherds.
D.F. Ellengerber dedicated 55 years of his life to the people of Lesotho and is known as a paramount figure in the development of religion in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Cave House as been transformed into a small museum housing artifacts collected by the Morija Museum and Archives.From Maseru:
Go South on the Maloti Route. Pass through Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, enter Quthing district and follow road till you reach Masitise (before the camptown) At Masitise there will be two junctions, pass through the first junction for Masitise High School and turn right when you get to the junction for Masitise Primary School. (There will also be a sign for Masitise Cave House.) Stay right on the road and follow it to the Primary school, through the field and to the church. The Cave House is located on the Church compound.
From Qacha’s Nek:
Go West from Qacha’s Nek and follow the Maloti Route through Mphaki and Mt. Moorosi. You will pass through Moyeni, follow the road and turn left when you get to the Junction for Masitise Primary School. There will also be a sign for Masitise Cave House. Stay right on the road and follow it to the Primary School, through the field and to the church. The Cave House is located on the Church compound.
