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Pretoria (/ prɪˈtɔːriə, pri -/ prih-TOR-ee-ə, pree-; [ 5 ]Afrikaans: [prəˈtʊəria] ⓘ), is South Africa's administrative capital, [ 6 ] serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. [ 6 ][ 7 ]
Sep 17, 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
Pretoria, South Africa. Pretoria is a vision of purple, thanks to its plethora of blossoming trees that gave the South African metropolis its nickname: Jacaranda City. Give in to the animal magnetism of the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, then get up close and personal with the big, bad kitties of the Cheetah Research and Breeding ...
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Pretoria, which include: The Capital Menlyn MaineApogee Boutique Hotel and SpaCity Lodge...
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Pretoria include: Pachas RestaurantFermierKreamForti Grill & BarPropaganda Pretoria
- Pretoria is known for some of its popular attractions, which include: Rovos RailThe Blue TrainZambibush ResortCedar JunctionRietvlei Nature Reserve
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Pretoria: Rietvlei Nature Reserve half-day tour from Pretoria, ev...
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Pretoria between March and May, when hotel prices are genera...
- 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...
- Voortrekker Monument. The Voortrekker Monument is a beacon of history, standing tall on a hill, its granite structure basking in the sun’s glow. Inside, the monument is a treasure trove of historical narratives, each corner whispering tales of the Afrikaner people’s Great Trek.
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden. The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is a breath of fresh air amidst the city’s hustle. This 76-hectare garden is a canvas painted with diverse indigenous flora and fauna.
- Union Buildings. The Union Buildings are a testament to architectural grandeur. The buildings, which serve as the South African government’s seat, are adorned with expansive gardens and a statue of Nelson Mandela that stands tall, embodying the nation’s spirit.
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven located a stone’s throw from Pretoria. The reserve is a canvas painted with diverse wildlife, from rhinos and cheetahs to a plethora of bird species.
South Africa’s administrative centre is a handsome city with some gracious old architecture, significant historical sites, prosperous leafy suburbs, and wide streets lined with jacarandas that burst into a beautiful purple haze in October and November.
The area known today as Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, with Pretoria (City) at its centre, is believed to have been occupied by the Sotho people for many centuries. During the 15th century the Ndebele people also migrated into the area and settled along the banks of the Apies River.
