Pella

Based solely  on pictures taken from a book, Pella Cathedral was built by a couple of French missionaries between 1882 and 1895, battling intense heat and isolation.

Brother Leo Wolf and Father Simon first set up gardens and planted crops before tackling the church. Their bricks were fired up at the Orange River, almost 10 kilometres away, whilst the limestone had to be brought by ox wagon from 160 km away and then restored with water from the oasis at Pella. Everything was made on site, including the iron staircase, which was forged by two priests at Pella.

Brother Wolf died here in 1947 and is buried in the church he built. 

Still in operation today, the resident nuns will happily show you around the rather striking cathedral and attached museum.

A destination location with limited on-site accommodation, Pella is a very distinctive and unique place to film + photograph. The surrounding barren landscapes and date palm plantations have doubled for refugee camps and desolate, desert areas in several productions.