Pretoria and surrounding attractions:
History:
The river valley had been occupied by the Ndebele since around the 1600's. Boer families started to put roots down in the 1840's. In 1855 the area was named as the township of Pretoria and in 1860 declared as the capital of the then South African Republic. Named after Andries Pretorius, the national hero after the victory over the Zulu's at blood river.
The area at this time consisted of approximately 80 houses with less than 350 residents. This settlement marked the end of the Great Trek inland from Cape Town by the boer's. In 1877, the British annexed the Transvaal, which included the town of Pretoria. The British were later to withdraw during the Transvaal War of independence and returned only after the Anglo Boer War. This British colony then named Pretoria as their new capital.
Market Square was the hub of Pretoria, later to be called Church Square. Open markets flourished and the first church in the Pretoria area was built here. A statue of the then President, Paul Kruger was erected on church square.
In 1910 the Union of South Africa was established and Pretoria became the administrative capital. In October 1931 Pretoria officially achieved city status. In 1961 South Africa became a Republic and Pretoria's status as administrative capital was retained.
Pretoria was also known as the City of Roses. Its' climate was suitable for growing rambler roses. Later to become know as the Jacaranda City after these trees were imported and thrived in the area with a current estimate of the trees in Pretoria to be over 50 000. The Jacaranda tree has now been declared an alien species and not to be planted in the future.
The Location:
Pretoria is situated within the municipality of Tshwane in the Gauteng province of South Africa, in a fertile valley 50km north of Johannesburg. Surrounded by the Magaliesberg hills 1367m above sea level (400m below Johannesburg).
The Pretoria City of Today:
The estimated population of Tshwane is 2.2 million with the city of Pretoria at approximately 1 million (census 2001). Language to percent population is approximately as follows: Pedi 22% - Afrikaans 21% - Tswana 17% - Tsonga 10% - Zulu 8% and English at less than 7%.
Pretoria has a negative connotation to many black South Africans, as "the capital of apartheid South Africa" Pretoria has remained as one of the country's three capital cities:
1. Pretoria the executive (administrative)
2. Cape Town (legislative capital)
3. Bloemfontein (judicial capital).
The Pretoria City Tour:
Each tour can be uniquely designed for an individual experience. From a half day historical tour, to perhaps a full day covering the Cullinan Diamond mine to a comprehensive tour lasting up to 3 days. Items to include are as follows:
See every day life in South Africa's Capital City.
Voortrekker Monument: Built to honour those who left the Cape Colony under British control in pursuit of their own self determination. They left between 1835 and 1854 and became know as the Voortrekker's. A massive 40 metre high granite structure built on a hill top and can be seen from most parts of the city.
Union Buildings: A National monument and is the seat of government and the office of the president of South Africa. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker and built between 1910 and 1913 by over 1260 workers in Sandstone. Stunning terraced gardens, planted with indigenous plants with a panoramic view of the city from Meintjieskop hill. The South African - Delville Wood War Memorial can also be seen here, a tribute to our troops who died during the First World War.
Kruger House Museum: Built in1884 and was the first house in Pretoria to be lit by electricity and has been immaculately recreated to look exactly as it did when Paul Kruger, president of the Zuid Afrikaanse (Transvaal) Republiek, lived there more than a century ago. On view is also the presidential coach - a luxury train wagon.
Smuts House Museum. The home of General Jan Smuts for over 40 years. The scientist, philosopher, and statesmen (twice the prime minister of South Africa) once lived in the museum that now reveals this great statesman's life and spirit.
African Window - National Cultural History Museum of South Africa. Containing a vast collection of historical, cultural and even a collection of archaeological items from both the stone age and iron age.
Church Square - Historic city centre with the statue of the first president, Paul Kruger surrounded by four Boer soldiers. Dating back to the 1850's. With all the buildings surrounding the square of significant historical value and includes the Palace of Justice where the Rivonia Treason Trail of Nelson Mandela and other prominent liberation figures was held.
Coin World. The South African Mint and our rich coin heritage and includes "Oom Paul" - the oldest working coin press in the world.
Correctional Service Museum. Ingenious collection of items, made by prisoners, some as hobbies others were illegally manufactured. It covers the development of the penal system in South Africa.
Forts: Consisting primarily of 4 forts built by the Boer government before the outbreak of the second Anglo Boer War:
Fort Klapperkop - Fort Schanskop - Fort Wonderboompoort - Fort Daspoortkop.
The ZAR Government, concerned about the security of Pretoria, approved a plan in 1896 to build 8 fortified positions around the city. Built as the most modern structures at that time by hundreds of black labourers with predominantly Italian builders with technical expertise from the Germans and Dutch. Troops and armourment were gradually withdrawn from the forts to be deployed elsewhere during the war. As such the forts offered no resistance when the British occupied Pretoria on the 5th June 1900. The British subsequently armed the forts and added additional fortifications to strengthen the defenses of Pretoria. The forts of Klapperkop, Schanskop and Wonderboompoort have been declared National Monuments.
Museums:
Freedom Park. A memorial including a list of South African killed in the Boer wars, World War I and II as well as the Apartheid Liberation struggle.
Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. A museum reflecting the cultural history of South Africa, with 10 collections of about 27,000 objects of Ndebele and Xhosa pottery, Stone Age and Iron Age objects.
Melrose House. A stately English Victorian and Cape Dutch mansion, built in 1886. Requisitioned by Lord Roberts in 1899 to be used as the British headquarters during the second Boer War. The treaty ending the Anglo Boer War signed here in May 1902. Lavishly furnished in the style of the time.
Museum of Geological Survey. Geology and Mineralogy of the earth with the focus on South Africa.
National Botanical Garden. Established in 1946 on 76 hectares and is the headquarter of SANBI - South African National Bio diversity Institute.
National Cultural History Museum. Linking the present with the past to offer a better understanding of the diverse cultures and dedicated to the preservation of these cultures and heritage of all South Africans.
National Zoological Gardens. Established in 1899 after the outbreak of the second Boer War, this is South Africa's National Zoo, on a land area of 200 acres with annual visitors of over 1 million. The Zoo covers over 97 mammal species, 160 bird species, 270 fish species and 105 reptile species. A total of over 4350 animals. Includes a walk-through aviary and the largest inland aquarium in Africa.
Pioneer Open Air Museum. A gracious Voortrekker farmstead built over 150 years ago on the bank of the Morelata Spruit, with a restored horse mill, threshing floor and farming implements and is a fascinating example of the building methods and materials of the time.
South African Air Force Museum. Dedicated to South African Air Force history. Split into 3 locations – Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and the largest of the three being AFB Swartkops outside Pretoria, occupying over five hangers and follows the development of the South African Air Force.
South African Police Services Museum. Showcase the South African Police Services history including some fascinating cases – some with the original murder weapons and even the blood stained clothing.
Sammy Marks Museum. A Victorian mansion built and furnished by Sammy Marks, an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Restored to resemble as it was in 1886 including collections from the 1880.
Transvaal Museum. Founded in 1892 by the government of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek as the Staatsmuseum (State Museum) and is focused exclusively on South African Natural History. The museum covers the origins of life on earth, from the simplest forms to the most complex The bird life exhibition is the most comprehensive in South Africa and showcases the varied bird life of the area. An enormous skeleton of a whale is there to greet you as you arrive.
Tswaing Crater Museum. This is one of only 3 meteorite impact sites in South Africa. A 1.4Km diameter crater, some 220 000 years old. An on site museum shows how the crater was favoured for hunting during the middle stone ages.
Van Gybland-Oosterhoff Collection. The largest collection of Dutch items of historical and cultural significance outside of the Netherlands.
Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum. Extensive collection of early farming implements and a recreation of farming methods as well as farmstead living in the 1920,s
Perfect tour options to include with the Pretoria Tour to create a full day tour:
For Tour details or bookings - please Contact us
Soweto Tour - Johannesburg Tour - Apartheid Museum - Constitution Hill - Gold Reef City - Lion Park
De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary - Elephant Sanctuary interaction - Pretoria Tour - Pilanesberg National Park
Sun City and the Lost City - Cullinan Diamond Mine - Rhino and Lion Park - The Origins Centre
Adventure Sports - Nile Crocodile Farm - The Lesedi Cultural Village - Cradle of Humankind
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