The heritage sites of Pretoria
Pretoria is a city rich with heritage and has close to one hundred registered heritage sites, two of which two are listed as national heritage sites.
By Charl Steenkamp
Within the municipal boundaries of Pretoria you’ll find an array of natural and cultural heritage sites. Among them are the 220 000 year old Tswaing crater, Mapungubwe’s famous Gold Rhino and the magnificent Union Buildings where the Mandela statue takes center stage. The city is also home to the now linked Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park, which are a prime example of the city’s capacity to bridge different cultural and political divides.
The City of Tshwane Municipality has prioritized its commitment to the enhancement of South Africa’s unique cultural and political heritage. Currently there are plans to build a Women’s Living Heritage Monument at Lilian Ngoyi Square, as well of talks of a “struggle hero monument” at Fountains Valley, which will feature statues of hundreds of struggle heroes.
National heritage sites in Pretoria
There are currently about 24 national heritage sites in South Africa and 2 of these can be found in Pretoria.
Voortrekker Monument
On 15 March 2012 the Voortrekker Monument was declared a national heritage site, marking it as the first Afrikaner national heritage site since the advance of democracy.
The Monument was declared a national heritage site due to its significance in the political history of South Africa and the building’s unique architecture.
Main article: The Voortrekker Monument
Union Buildings
The Union Buildings were declared a national heritage site on 16 December 2013. This coincided with the unveiling of the giant bronze statue of Nelson Mandela as well as the its centenary celebrations.
Apart from housing the presidency and being one of South Africa’s most iconic buildings, many significant historic events have taken place at the Union Buildings, which include the 20 000 women march in 1956, and Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Main article: The Union Buildings: Pretoria’s favourite landmark
Pretoria’s strong links to UNESCO World Heritage
Of the 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in South Africa, Pretoria’s has strong connections to the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape site and the Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai.
The Gold Rhino and the Mapungubwe Collections
The rare and unique gold rhino figurine is part of the University of Pretoria’s Mapungubwe archaeological Collection which dates from AD 1000 – AD 1300. The artefacts were discovered in 1933 at Mapungubwe and can be seen at one of the University of Pretoria Museums.
Main article: Mapungubwe Collection – University of Pretoria
Mrs Ples at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
The museum is home to one of the largest Natural History Collections in South Africa, which include the 2.1 million year old Mrs Ples and other hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Main article: Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
Other heritage highlights
Tswaing
About 40km north of Pretoria, still within the municipal boundaries of Tshwane, you’ll find a crater formed by a meteorite that crashed there over 220 000 years ago. The whole area is now a nature reserve and is one of the top birding destinations in Gauteng.
Main article: Tswaing Nature Reserve and Impact Crater
Wonderboom
Wonderboom Nature Reserve is famous for its more than 1000 year old wild fig tree, which legend has it, grew so big because the chief of an indigenous tribe lies buried beneath its roots. It’s also here that you will find one of the best-known stone age sites in Pretoria.
Main article: Wonderboom Nature Reserve
Historic Buildings
There are many historic buildings to be found in Pretoria. We highlight but a few.
- Pioneer House (1848) at the Pioneer Museum, an open air museum set in a restored 3 hectare Victorian settler farmstead.
- Kruger House (1884): The residence of Paul Kruger, now a museum.
- Melrose House (1886): The beautiful Victorian house where the Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the Anglo Boer war, was signed is now a museum.
- The Palace of Justice (1896) and The Raadsaal (1889) are among the many historic buildings on the Church Square.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is regarded as one of South Africa’s most ambitious heritage projects and is a dedicated precinct celebrating South Africa’s heritage. The project was officially launched on 2000, while the Freedom Park Trust was established in 2001 to develop the heritage project.
Main article: Freedom Park with //hapo museum