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Pretoria (⫽ p r ɪ ˈ t ɔːr i ə, p r i-⫽ prih-TOR-ee-ə, pree-; Afrikaans: [prəˈtʊəria] ⓘ), is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa.
Jul 1, 2024 · Pretoria, city in Gauteng province and administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria stretches along both sides of the Apies River and extends into the western foothills of the Magaliesberg on the east.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum
- Union Buildings
- Pretoria Art Museum
- Church Square
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
- Voortrekker Monument
- South African State Theater
- Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
- Hartbeespoort Dam Elephant Sanctuary
- Fort Klapperkop
Named after the father of the first president of the former Transvaal Republic, Marthinus Pretorius, historic racial discrimination and the apartheid era looms large in Pretoria. Freedom Park was created as a way of honoring and remembering those involved in the struggle for democracy, alongside South Africans who died during the country’s wars. Th...
The Union Buildings are situated on another hill, Meintjieskop, overlooking Pretoria’s central neighborhoods. The offices of the South African president, Nelson Mandela’s historic inauguration as president took place here in 1994. Today, the great man is honored with a literally larger-than-life bronze statue in the wonderfully maintained gardens. ...
The sleek, single-story lines of Pretoria Art Museumare the perfect backdrop to discovering one of South Africa’s most important art collections. Founded in 1930, the early items obtained by the museum mainly comprised 17th century artworks from Europe, as was common at the time. Now though, Pretoria Art Museum has expanded its collections to inclu...
For the heart of historic Pretoria, make a beeline to Church Square (Kerkplein). A statue of another president of the Transvaal, Paul Kruger, sits on its central plinth. It was created by Anton von Wouw. On the square’s edges stand a number of significant buildings, including the Palace of Justice, Ou Raadsaal, Tudor Chambers, and Old Netherlands B...
A short distance east of Church Square, this is one of nine national botanical gardens in South Africa. Comparatively small in stature, with an area of 76 hectares, it still manages to span a huge variety of landscapes, covering succulents, wetlands, grasslands, and medicinal gardens. There’s also an arboretum, artificial waterfall, and a restauran...
The Transvaal Republic formed after Dutch-speaking settlers to South Africa left Britain’s Cape Colony in the mid-1800s in order to live independently of Britain. Calling themselves voortrekkers (pioneers), but also known as Boers, their Great Trek is part of the founding story of South African colonization. This huge monument, rising 40 meters, wa...
Impressive in both size and scope, the South African State Theater is the largest complex of its kind in Africa. In a Brutalist architectural style of raw unfinished concrete, it contains six performance spaces, and is capable of seating 2,700 people. The Theater’s long list of monthly shows and events is a who’s who of South African and internatio...
This natural history museum has the sorts of displays of taxidermy animals and cases of insects you’re probably already expecting. What makes the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History stand out among similar attractions is its vast fossil exhibits. These include incredibly important hominid fossils from several sites within the nearby Cradle o...
Hartbeespoort Dam Elephant Sanctuary is approximately an hour from central Pretoria by road. It provides a home for elephants which wouldn’t survive in the wild in any of South Africa’s famed national parks. The sanctuary’s elephants are instead looked after by a team of caretakers. Guides also lead visitors through the sanctuary on foot three time...
Fort Klapperkop was one of four defensive structures built to defend Pretoria against the British during the Anglo Boer Wars of the late 19th century. Dating to 1898, it’s one of the best preserved of Pretoria’s historic forts. In addition to its long building and defensive bastions, Fort Klapperkop contains a dry moat and one of the large French-b...
- Freedom Park. This stunning park and museum honours fallen South Africans in all major conflicts and adopts an integrated approach to African history.
- Voortrekker Monument. The imposing, art-deco-style Voortrekker Monument was constructed between 1938 and 1949 to honour the journey of the Voortrekkers, who journeyed north…
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve. This 38-sq-km reserve, 27km south of Pretoria, off Rte 21, is popular with locals who come for fishing in the dam, but is also great for wildlife viewing…
- Church Square. A statue of Old Lion (Paul Kruger) takes pride of place in the centre of Church Square, which is surrounded by some impressive public buildings.
Dec 25, 2023 · For more ideas on the best places to visit, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Pretoria. See also: Where to Stay in Pretoria. On This Page: 1. Pretoria National Botanic Garden. 2. Voortrekker Monument. 3. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.
Nov 5, 2020 · At the pinnacle point of South Africa’s history, Pretoria is home to many national landmarks - remnants of its post-colonial struggle, which shaped South Africa and the city. Apart from its colonial significance, Pretoria is teeming with picturesque scenery and breathtaking architecture.
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Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is in Gauteng. Its wide avenues are lined with purple-flowered jacaranda trees and stately architecture. The city has many museums and art galleries, and a large student population that gives its centre a boisterous atmosphere.
