| 4 mins read
Though just a hop skip and jump away from its more famous and happening capital counterpart Jo’berg, Pretoria works in a completely distinct time zone, with a more sedate pace of life and a lovely timeless charm. Once predominately Afrikaans, the fall of Apartheid has seen the city slowly transform itself into a grand multicultural and cosmopolitan city. And yet there is significant evidence of its long, intriguing history, from monuments and museums to old colonial buildings lined with tree-lined boulevards that burst into countless blooms of purple in October. Plan your trip then, to catch the sights and sounds of the “Jacaranda city” at her prettiest!
A Walk Through History
Museums abound aplenty in Pretoria, comprehensively cataloguing its uniqueness, from archaeological history at Traansvaal Museum and The Distong Museum to the house museums at Melrose Place and Sammy Sammy Marks.
There are two main sites though, that reflect the area’s turbulent recent history, the Voortrekker Monument & Museum and Freedom Park. Voortrekker represents South Africa’s Afrikaans background, with a giant granite monument signifying the victory of the Boers (Afrikaners) over the Zulu. Visitors can climb to the top of the monument’s tower for some great views of Pretoria or trek/bike around Voortrekker’s designated trails. In stark contrast to Voortrekker, Freedom Park signifies post-apartheid life in South Africa. Located atop Salvokop Hill, visitors will see the Wall of Names (of the 75,000 victims of South African conflicts), the eternal flame of the Unknown Soldier and a few other moving displays. Travelers should note that visits to this park are only permitted alongside a Pretoria tour guide; so book ahead!
Cultural Sites of Pretoria
The Church Square is the historic center of the city with a giant statue of Paul Kruger (President of the South African Republic) at its heart. Surrounded by historic buildings (Palace of Justice, Old Capitol Theatre and the General Post Office to name a few), this square is one of Pretoria’s most recognizable icons. Just east of Church Square is the Union Building, home to South Africa’s official government offices and a beautiful sprawling park (with a 9,000 seat amphitheatre). For a taste of the city’s art scene, head to Pretoria’s Art Museum where there are a number of interesting permanent and temporary local exhibits on display.
Food Shopping and Sport in Pretoria
If you’re ready to add a bit of consumerism into your stay, Pretoria’s Hatfield Market is always a traveler’s favorite. Filled with stalls and shops, this historic marketplace sells everything from traditional handicrafts and jewelry to furniture and food. If you’re looking to continue your culinary ventures in Pretoria, head to the Hazel Food Market where you can pick up fresh produce, a cold beer, sweet treats or any number of local South African specialties. Indulge in even more retail therapy at any of Pretoria’s suburbs from Menlyn Park to Sammy Marks, all sporting modern-day shopping centers. And don’t miss thronging with the locals to catch a game of rugby football if a match is on; after all it’s the national sport!
A Day with Pretoria’s Natural Attractions
Sprawling over 85 acres, Pretoria’s National Zoological Gardens is constantly ranked amongst the world’s best zoos. Home to over 200 species of mammals and birds, an aquarium and reptile park, Pretoria’s zoo is truly one of its most appealing attractions. Bird lovers should make their way to the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, named after country’s most famous ornithologist. Another top outdoor attraction in Pretoria is the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. The oldest nature reserve in South Africa, this 600-hectare “entrance to Pretoria” can be found right next the Central Business District. A great variety of wildlife, hiking, biking and horseback trails makes this massive green spot in the city one of Pretoria’s most appealing draws.
Image Details and Licenses:https://flic.kr/p/azCs6F(kevjblack,CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), Source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transvaal_Museum-002.jpg (CC BY-SA 2.0)https://flic.kr/p/abVn9Q(Jessica Eriksson,CC BY-NC-SA 2.0),https://flic.kr/p/4STbWJ(Hühnerauge,CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/apmyfb (Craig Boyd,CC BY-SA 2.0),https://flic.kr/p/dKLt9C (Ryan Kilpatrick, CC BY-ND 2.0)