Durban City Hall
The most imposing building in central Durban, between West and Smith Streets, is the City Hall, with its conspicuous copper-covered dome. Built in 1910, it was modeled on the City Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition to municipal offices it houses the Municipal Library and the Natural Science Museum.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
Durban Art Gallery
Durban Art Gallery, South Africa's second largest art museum, is in the City Hall. It has works by both European and South African artists, including Corot, Utrillo, Lely, Constable, Lewis, Orpen, Rodin and Dalou, as well as collections of ceramics, ivories, silver and glass.
Durban Natural Science Museum (KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre)
The Natural Science Museum is South Africa's busiest museum. It contains realistic exhibits of South African wildlife. Insects feature in an interactive display.
Educational tours are offered for schools and groups.
Included is the KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre with hands-on exhibits; KwaZuzulwazi means "place of discovery".
Educational tours are offered for schools and groups.
Included is the KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre with hands-on exhibits; KwaZuzulwazi means "place of discovery".
Natural Science Museum / KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre
City Hall, First Floor
Smith Street
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4000
South Africa
City Hall, First Floor
Smith Street
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4000
South Africa
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Francis Farewell Square
In front of the City Hall is Francis Farewell Square, the original nucleus of the city, where two British traders, Henry Fynn and Francis Farewell, are said to have established their first camp in 1824.
Local History Museum
Behind the City Hall is the former Courthouse (1863), now occupied by the Local History Museum which illustrates the history of Zululand and the European settlement of Natal.
Natal Playhouse Complex
The modern Natal Playhouse Complex has five houses for opera, concerts, drama and ballet. The façades and walls of two old movie theaters were incorporated in its construction.