A journey through Pretoria’s main attractions
Pretoria has a rich history and has the most amazing landmarks and attractions. Let us show you how these amazing places came to be.
Church Square
Church Square lies in the heart of Pretoria, and is regarded as the cradle of the city that eventually developed into Pretoria.
Historical buildings in the square includes, the Old Raadsaal, The Palace of Justice, the Law Chambers , the Old Nederlandsche Bank and the National Mint building, all testimony of the the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek.
25.7465° S, 28.1882° E
The Union Buildings
The Union Buildings is Pretoria’s most famous landmark, they symbolize the authority of the state and the status of the city as the administrative headquarters of the national government.
Sir Herbert Baker designed the buildings as well as the surrounding gardens. The first corner was laid on 26 November 1901 and the buildings came to completion in 1913.
25°44′25.68″S 28°12′43.28″E
Melrose House
Melrose House was built by George Jesse Heyes in 1886.
The peace treaty of Vereeniging was signed on the dining room table on 31 May 1902. The treaty ended the Anglo Boer War(1899-1902).
25°45’20.76″S. 28°11’33.56″E.
The Pretoria Art Museum
The Pretoria Art Museum host the largest collection of South African art, displaying more than 3 000 works, including old masters such as Henk Pierneef, Frans Oerder , Irma Stern, Pieter Wenning and Maggie Laubser.
25o44’53.07″ S, 28o12’47.86″ E
Voortrekker Monument
The Voortrekker monument was built between 1928 and 1949 to commemorate the Pioneer history of Southern Africa, in particular the Groot Trek that took place between 1835 and 1854.
On 16 March 2012 the minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile officially declared the Voortrekker Monument as a Grade 1 National Heritage site.
25°46′35″S 28°10′33″ECoordinates: 25°46′35″S 28°10′33″E
Nan Hua Buddhist Temple
The Nan Hua Buddhist Temple is the biggest Buddhist temple in Southern Africa and falls on the outskirts of Pretoria, in Bronkhorstspruit. It is the only Buddhist Temple in Africa and the third largest in the world.
Chinese New Year, Festival of Lights as well as Peace and Dharma functions is celebrated at the temple.
25°49’28″S 28°44’0″E.
Komjekejeke Heritage Site
The Heritage site was occupied by the AmaNdebele under King Silamba in1873. In 1998 the Department of Arts and Culture declared four hectares of land at Komjekejeke a national heritage site.
Every March the Komjekejeke site celebrates King Silamba’s decision to move to this location to avoid slavery amongst his people.
Adress: Farm downbern 594 Wallmansthal
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with a national status, housing 3117 specimens, 209 mammal species1358 specimens of 202 bird species , and 3871 specimens of 190 fish species to name but a few.
The third largest collection of exotic trees can also be found at the zoo.
S25°44.349′ E028°11.329′.
Cullinan Diamond Mine
On the 25th of June 1905 the largest uncut diamond in history was found, which was a miraculous 1308 carat stone. Over the years more than 120 million carrats have been mined.
The Cullinan Diamond mine conducts public tours of both surface and underground operations, where tour guides explain the geological processes that are responsible for the creation of diamonds.
S25-40.281 E28-30.991
National Botanical Gardens
This is a 50 hectare indigenous garden. Special features in the garden include an avenue of Wisteria trees and a collection of medical plants, cycads and aloes. However the main focus of the garden is the flora that attracts about 200 different bird species as well as small mammals and reptiles.
28°16’19.8″E 25°44’18.2″S
Freedom Park
The Freedom Park has a variety of unique features to visit namely:
Hapo- Southern Africa’s history unfolds 3,6 billion years in a narrative and visual form
The Pan Africa Archives: The knowledge base for all components in the park and where research data is stored and processed for public use.
Tiva: An enourmous body of water where the presence of peace, tranquility and harmony can be seen and felt.
Isivane: The symbolic resting place of the spirits of those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle of humanity and freedom.
The park is a 52ha site located on Salvokop with a panoramic view of Pretoria and its famous landmarks.
S 25 45.846 E 28 11.238
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
The endangered Bankenveld grassland Rietvlei Nature Reserve is home to 1 600 head of game, including blesbuck, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, waterbuck, springbuck, eland and grey duiker.
The extensive vlei areas and streams support the scenic splendor of the azure blue Rietvlei Dam.
‘S25 52 973 E028 15 789
Groenkloof Nature Reserve
The Groenkloof Nature Reserve is well known for its hiking trails and view of Fountain Valley.
The reserve was the first proclaimed game sanctuary on the African continent. Today , impala, kudu, steenbuck, jackal duiker zebra, giraffe and kudu can be seen.
Wonderboom Nature Reserve
The Wonderboom Nature reserve is famous for its magnificent specimen of Ficus salicifolia, a wild fig tree called “Wonderboom” the tree is more than 1 000 years old.
‘S25 41 202 E028 11 384.
Tswaing Meteorite Crater
The Tswaing Meteorite crater was formed when a meteorite hit the earth 220 000 years ago, it is one of the youngest and best preserved craters in the world.
The crater is 100m deep and 1,3km wide. This was this first eco-tourism site in South Africa.
25.409 S 28.0958 E
Every site is worth seeing. Time to go back to your routes and experience the amazing arts, cultures and history that our Capital City has to offer.
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