Pietermaritzburg Attractions
Pietermaritzburg, capital of the province of KwaZulu/Natal, lies in a fertile agricultural region. It is the seat of South Africa's Supreme Court and the University of Natal, and is also an important industrial and commercial center.
Pietermaritzburg was founded in 1838, after the Boer victory over the Zulus in the battle of Blood River, and named after the two Boer leaders, Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz. When the republic of Natal was established in the following year Pietermaritzburg became its capital. After the annexation of the republic by Britain the headquarters of British administration was moved to Pietermaritzburg (1843), a garrison was stationed here and Fort Napier was built. The town later became capital of the British colony of Natal and in 1910 the seat of government of the province of Natal.
Pietermaritzburg is abundantly supplied with parks and gardens and with historic buildings, now protected as national monuments or museums, and has preserved much of its British colonial architecture and atmosphere. In 1990 Church Street became an attractive pedestrian precinct and shopping mall with a great variety of shops, including a very well-known bookshop, and handsome buildings.
The city center can be seen on foot, in a tour starting from City Hall in Churchill Square, immediately adjoining which are the tourist information bureau and parking lot facilities.
Pietermaritzburg was founded in 1838, after the Boer victory over the Zulus in the battle of Blood River, and named after the two Boer leaders, Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz. When the republic of Natal was established in the following year Pietermaritzburg became its capital. After the annexation of the republic by Britain the headquarters of British administration was moved to Pietermaritzburg (1843), a garrison was stationed here and Fort Napier was built. The town later became capital of the British colony of Natal and in 1910 the seat of government of the province of Natal.
Pietermaritzburg is abundantly supplied with parks and gardens and with historic buildings, now protected as national monuments or museums, and has preserved much of its British colonial architecture and atmosphere. In 1990 Church Street became an attractive pedestrian precinct and shopping mall with a great variety of shops, including a very well-known bookshop, and handsome buildings.
The city center can be seen on foot, in a tour starting from City Hall in Churchill Square, immediately adjoining which are the tourist information bureau and parking lot facilities.
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Natal Museum
This is one of five national museums. It contains paleontological, geological, ethnological, and natural history collections.
Alexandra Park
On the south side of the city center is Alexandra Park (area 65ha/160ac), with an abundance of flowers, shrubs, aloes and succulents. It also has a splendid bandstand of 1890. In the annual Art in the Park show in May South African artists display their work. There is a flea market in the park on the first Sunday in the month.
Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens have separate sections for indigenous and exotic plants. Some of the trees are of great age.
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
October 1 to April 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
City Hall
The City Hall (now a national monument) is claimed to be the largest brick building south of the Equator. It has a 47m/154ft high bell-tower and magnificent stained glass.
Fort Napier
Fort Napier, built in 1843 as a British headquarters, preserves a number of guns and other military exhibits. The military cemetery dates from the same period as the fort. The garrison church of St George (1897) also displays mementos of the British garrison.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Macrorie House
Along Loop Street is Macrorie House (1862), in which Bishop William Macrorie lived from 1869 to 1891 and installed a small chapel. It is now a museum of Victoriana, with period clothes and furniture.
Marathon House Museum
In a restored Victorian house southeast of the city center is a museum illustrating the history of the South African Marathon.
Old Colonial Building
From Pietermaritzburg railroad station, a Victorian brick building, Church Street (partly pedestrianized) runs northeast. The most striking building in this street is the handsome Old Colonial Building of 1899, which housed various offices of the colonial government.
Old Government House
An impressive building is Old Government House (1860), once the residence of the Governor of Natal.
Pietermaritzburg Hindu Temples
The two Hindu temples (in Longmarket Street), Sri Siva Soobramoniar and Mariammen, are the religious centers of the town's Indian inhabitants. Annually on Good Friday a festival, with fireworks, is celebrated here.
Pietermaritzburg Mosque
The town's principal mosque is in Church Street, to the north of the city center.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Tatham Art Gallery
Opposite the City Hall is the Tatham Art Gallery, installed in 1990 in a building which was occupied by the Supreme Court from 1906 to 1983. The gallery has a remarkable collection of work by 19th and 20th C European artists, including pictures by Corot, Sisley and Sickert and drawings by Picasso, Braque, Chagall and Moore, as well as a large collection of South African art.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day of Goodwill - South Africa (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day of Goodwill - South Africa (December 26)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Facilities
Gift shop
Wylie Park
In Taunton Road, to the west of the city center, is Wylie Park, with many indigenous plants, including proteas, and exotic azaleas, which put on a glorious show of blossom in spring.
Pietermaritzburg Surroundings
Howick Falls
The impressive Howick Falls, 119m/360ft high (near the town of that name, 25km/15mi north of Pietermaritzburg), are the most striking feature in the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The reserve contains more than 200 species of birds, as well as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and many species of antelope. There are hiking trails along the river; some accommodation for visitors.
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Midmar Public Nature Reserve
The reserve encompasses the Midmar Dam and is a good place for water sports, spotting wildlife, hiking, or camping.
World's View
World's View is a viewpoint 18km/5mi northwest of Pietermaritzburg on the old road to Howick (which rejoins N 3 at Hilton). From the top of the hill (1,083m/3,553ft) there is a magnificent view of the city. The old voortrekkers' road can be seen winding its way up the hill (picnic spots).
Albert Falls Nature Reserve
23km/14mi northeast of Pietermaritzburg, on the road to Graytown, is the Albert Falls Nature Reserve (area 3012ha/7440ac; open throughout the year). Here, in a beautiful setting, is a lake fringed with vegetation, with excellent opportunities for bird-watching, sailing, rowing and picnicking. There are also hiking trails and a riding arena. The fauna consists mainly of zebras and various species of antelope and gazelle. There is accommodation for visitors in two camps with well equipped chalets.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park (area 100ha/250ac;), 8km/5mi north of the city, has a luxuriant growth of vegetation, including aloes and proteas, and many species of birds. Good walks; picnic spots.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
