Virginia

Virginia is the second largest gold mining town in the Goldfields Region after Welkom. Situated just south of Welkom between Welkom and Theunissen, Virginia has always been known for its pretty inner city open spaces, particularly along the Sand River which flows through the town, and lately for being the place where Sauron’s Ring was made (or should we say ‘fashioned’) for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

Virginia’s economy is based almost solely on gold mining and the extraction of sulphuric acid from ore. The city has the deepest pipe-mine on earth and despite the existence of green inner city areas and river-front frequented by locals for leisure activities, Virginia offers little in the way of directly tourist related activities.

If you do find yourself in the Virginia/Welkom area, take some time to join the locals on the river on a hot weekend day, and of course you will find all amenities and shops in both towns, as well as sports and entertainment facilities.

The surrounding area is mostly farmlands, with maize and cattle farming predominant.

Nearby attractions include the Erfenis Dam south of Theunissen and the Phakisa Raceway near Welkom.

Getting there: Take the R73 south from the centre of Welkom.