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Pretoria |
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DESTINATION INFORMATION
Named after the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius, and known as the 'Jacaranda City' because of the flowering trees lining its streets in October and November. Pretoria's Church Square is the centre of the city, a space of historical importance lined by some fine 19th-century buildings including Paul Kruger's House, the Groote Kerk, Melrose House, the old Raadsaal (parliament) of the Boer republic of Transvaal, and the State Theatre.
The Union Buildings, overlooking the suburb of Arcadia, are one of the pinnacles of British Imperial architecture, designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Still the administrative seat of the national government and famous as the site of Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration as President. The Voortrekker Monument is an imposing granite tower built to commemorate the Boer victory over the Zulus at Blood River.
For an excursion, a visit to Cullinan, 30km east of Pretoria, is worth it. The village of Cullinan provided mine housing and services for the Premier Mine, and is now conserved as a living museum. There are many historic buildings dating from the 1900s including churches, miners houses and mine offices.
The Premier Mine is world famous for the discovery of the massive Cullinan diamond in 1905, and is still by far the largest gem diamond ever found. It weighed 3,106 carat or 621 grams and was 10 cm long, 6 cm high and 5 cm thick. The stone was named after Thomas Cullinan and was sent to Amsterdam for splitting and cutting. The four largest stones are known as The Stars of Africa". All nine large stones are either in the Crown Jewels or are owned by the British Royal Family.
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WHAT TO DO
- Voortrekker Monument ~ Built in commemoration of the Boers who settled in this area, and in particular 470 Boers who triumphed over 12,000 Zulus at the Battle of Blood River.
- Union Buildings ~ The setting for Nelson Mandela's inauguration, offering wonderful views of the city from the terraced gardens.
- Pretoria Zoo ~ The largest in South Africa, you should take a ride in the cable cars for amazing views of the zoo and the city below. The zoo is especially worth visiting during the evenings (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) for groups.
- Loftus Versveld Stadium ~ The home of the Blue Bulls and South Africa's second largest test match ground.
- The Kruger Museum ~ The Kruger House has been refurbished to look almost as it did at the time when President Paul and Mrs Gezina Kruger lived there.
- Pretoria Art Museum ~ The city's only fine arts museum, housing a collection of more than 500 works of art, including paintings, sculpture, graphics, textiles, photographs, basketry and ceramics.
- Transvaal Museum of Natural History ~ Combining the Natural Science Museum and the Geological Museum.
- Premier Diamond Mine, Cullinan ~ Thomas Cullinan, a successful Johannesburg businessman and amateur geologist, discovered the Premier kimberlite (a very unusual rock type, named after Kimberley in the ) in 1898, was drawn to the area by the alluvial diamonds that were being found in nearby stream. After the Anglo-Boer War, mining started in 1903 and in the first year of operation over 100,000 carats were recovered. It is still one of South Africa's largest and most productive diamond mines. All production is now from underground.
Some dining suggestions:
- Camelot ~
- Spur ~ A restaurant chain with outlets all over the country
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