Pretoria Tourist Attractions
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Pretoria, situated in the fertile valley of the Apies River, at the foot of the Magaliesberg range, is the administrative capital of South Africa and the seat of government for six months in the year, alternating with Cape Town.
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Voortrekker Monument
Prominently situated south of the city center is the Voortrekker Monument, built in 1949 to commemorate the voortrekkers, the Boers who in the mid 19th C pushed northward into unknown territory. A ponderous square granite structure 40m/130ft high stands on a base 40m sq/430ft sq.Steps lead up to the Hall of Heroes, with 27 marble reliefs depicting the Great Trek of 1838. Through an opening in the floor can be seen a slab of granite in the vault below with the inscription "Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika" ("We are for you, South Africa").The monument is surrounded by a wall depicting ox-wagons - representing the trek wagons which the Boers drew up in a circle to form a defensive laager.There is a museum illustrating this period of South African history.
Union Buildings
The Union Buildings (by Sir Herbert Baker, 1913), set in beautiful gardens, are commandingly situated on Meintjieskop Hill on the east side of the city. This impressive range of sandstone buildings is the seat of government and of Parliament (though in the first half of the year Parliament sits in Cape Town). Here too are housed the state archives.In the gardens which slope down in terraces to Church Street are the Delville Wood Memorial, commemorating the South African soldiers who fell in the First World War, statues of the South African prime ministers Louis Botha, J. B. M. Hertzog and J. C. Smuts, and a Police Memorial.
National Botanic Gardens
The Pretoria National Botanic Gardens with 77ha/190ac in area are the largest in South Africa. The plants are grouped according to their climatic region (the savannas of the Karoo, the coastal forests, the grassland plains of Namibia).The Gardens feature over half of the country's tree species as well as cycads, aloes and other interesting collections. Paved nature trails give access to the natural vegetation of the rocky ridge above the garden. Altogether there are 5,000 species of plants, including 300 indigenous species of trees.
Pretoria Art Museum
The Pretoria Art Museum has with numerous works by South African artists such as Pierneef, Frans Oerder and Anton van Wouw plus the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish masters and temporary exhibitions.
Magnolia Dell
The beautifully laid out Magnolia Dell gardens are seen at their best when the magnolias are in bloom in spring. There is a small lake in the gardens. An "Art in the Park" show is held here on the first and last Saturdays in the month.
Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary (area 11ha/27ac) is named after the South African ornithologist who wrote the best known handbook on the birds of South Africa.Over 100 indigenous species of birds and numerous other animals can be seen here in their natural surroundings.On the edge of the sanctuary is a reservoir, on the shores of which are hides for bird-watchers.
Anton van Wouw House
The former home of the South African sculptor Anton van Wouw is now a museum including documents and photographs related to the artist's life, as well as small sculptures by Van Wouw.
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve
At the eastern end of the city area is the very beautiful Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, with a varied flora (including the umbrella tree) and fauna. 150 species of birds have been recorded in the park. It is part of the Moreleta Spruit Nature Trail, an 8km/5mi long hiking trail which runs from Menlyn Drive to Hardekool Avenue, following a winding course along the banks of the stream through ever-changing scenery.
Fort Klapperkop
Reached by way of Johan Rissik Drive, from which there are fine views of Pretoria, is Fort Klapperkop, one of the four forts built to defend the town - though it was never called on to perform that function. It is now a military museum with exhibits illustrating the military history of South Africa from 1852 to the end of the Boer War.
Moreleta Spruit Hiking Trail
Moreleta Spruit Hiking Trail is a good trail for birders following a winding course through the habitat of numerous birds.
More South Africa Resources
- Pretoria Travel Guide by iExplore
Map of Pretoria Attractions
Map - Pretoria
