Pretoria Tourist Attractions

More Pretoria Tourist Attractions (Page 2)

This is a continuation from page 1. If you haven't seen the first page, you will be able to click on page 1 at the bottom of this page. Make your visit or stay in Pretoria the remarkable one by visiting all its interesting places. From mountains to plants, Tshwane is just the most underrated tourist city.

City Hall

You may see the two statues the Voortrekker leaders, Marthinus Pretorius and his father Andries in front of the City Hall. Marthinus Pretorius established Pretoria in 1855 and to celebrate that status, the city hall was built in 1931.

Contact Details
ph: 012 358 8949
Add: Visagie and Paul Kruger Streets

Correctional Service Museum

Displaying the hobbies of prisoners and illegal items manufactured by them, the Correctional Service Museum, is the best place to see.

Contact Details
ph: 012 314 1766
Add: Prison Reserve, Central Prison, Potgieter Street

Diamond Hill Battle Field

The graves of troops and fighters of the 11 and 12 June 1900 Battle of Diamond Hill or Donkerhoek were reburied in the Diamond Hill Battle Field in 1960 and 1963. From between 14000 English troops and 4000 Boer fighters three Boer fighters and 19 English troops died in that battle. Fort Klapperkop Built by the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek under President Paul Kruger and declared a National Monument in 1938. Fort Klapperkop offers beautiful views of Pretoria.

Contact Details
ph: 012 346 7703
Add: Rissik Drive

Fort West Village

More than 250 historic buildings in one place just 10km west of Church Square, towards Hartbeespoort Dam. Previously known as Fort West Institute and founded in 1880, Fort West Village was set up to house lepers. It has the largest Gauteng fort, built by the French firm Schneider of Le Creusot (of Long Tom cannon fame) for the Anglo Boer War.

Contact Details
ph: 083 360 2999

Freedom Park

Set up as a tribute to the truth and reconciliation process, the Freedom Park is built to commemorate the country's political history and to celebrate its cultural and natural heritage. Visit to see the ordinary South Africans who contributed in the development of the new South Africa through museums and a Garden of Remembrance with statues and sculptures.

Contact Details
ph: 012 361 0021
Add: Potgieter Street

Geoscience Museum

Geoscience Museum is the museum within the Transvaal Museum building which displays a fascinating collection of precious and semi-precious stones.

Contact Details
ph: 012 322 7122
Add: Paul Kruger Street

Kruger House Museum

Most historians regard this as their best of Pretoria tourist attractions. The history of President and Mrs Kruger during their years of residence in the Kruger House (1884-1901) and the tributes presented to them and the Boers during the Anglo Boer War are well displayed here.

Contact Details
ph: 012 326 9172
Add: 60 Church Street west

Magnolia Dell

This could be Pretoria's most popular and beautiful park. For art and crafts markets and reasonable prices, visit them. Bring a picnic basket with.

Contact Details
ph: 012 993 1557
Add: Queen Wilhelmina Drive & University Road, Bailey's Muckleneuk

Mariammen Temple

The oldest Hindu Temple in Pretoria, Mariammen Temple is the oldest Hindu Temple in Pretoria established in 1905. Mariammen is the goddess who controls smallpox and other infectious diseases. Visitors are requested to remove their shoes when entering the cellar or Assembly Hall.

Contact Details
Add: Sixth Street, Asiatic Bazaar, Marabastad

National Botanical Gardens

This is beautiful for nature lovers. Visit to see most Southern African plants at their best. Guided walks by arrangement

Contact Details
ph: 012 843 5000 Add: 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria

National Zoological Gardens

National Zoological Gardens is the finest zoo in South Africa and one of the best in the world. The Pretoria Zoo is an 80-hectare oasis nestled in the heart of Pretoria's city centre. It houses 97 mammal species, 161 bird species, 279 fish species, 106 reptile species and seven amphibian species. At least 4 300 animals call the Pretoria Zoo home. This is among the most important Pretoria tourist attractions. It is amongst one of the most visited Pretoria tourist attractions.

Contact Details
ph: 012 328 3265 Add: Boom Street, City Centre

National Film Video And Sound Archives

A collection of audiovisual material on South Africa.

Contact Details
ph: 012 343 9767 Add: Johan and Wessels Streets, Arcadia

Pioneer Museum

The house at the Pioneer Museum is a T-shaped dwelling with a thatched roof, dung smeared floor and pioneer furniture dating from 1848. The outside oven and outbuildings can also be viewed. A tanning pit, wagon shed, water furrow, threshing floor, water mill, animals, and duck-pond can be seen. Guided tours and demonstration must be booked in advance Picnic and braai facilities available Tel: 012 803 6086/7 Address: Pretoria Road, Silverton

SAFF MEMORIAL

Built on Bays Hills, the memorial offers a clear view of the Air Force Base in Zwartkop and the top of the Pretoria's Voortrekker Monument. The design takes the shape of a triangular star-pattern comprised of three wings, of which one forms a neutral chapel for small services. The memorial is about the height of six storeys and symbolises flight. The Garden of Remembrance is set out for approximately 3 000 members of SAAF who died during war. Tel: 012 351 2911/2153 Address: Old Johannesburg Road

SA MINT

The Mint's history dates back to 1892 when Paul Kruger ordered a mint press from Germany The press is still in working order and can be seen at the museum The Mint's modern factory was opened in 1992 and is regarded as one of the most modern mints in the world Tel: 012 677 2342 Address: Between Ben Schoeman and Old Johannesburg Road. Off Old Johannesburg Road (R101), Brakfontein

SAMMY MARKS SQUARE

Offers a wonderful array of speciality stores integrated with the piazza and spacious malls. The Sammy Marks building is the only remaining neo-Dutch architectural example in Gauteng. The Square Centre houses the City Council Public Library. Tel: 012 358 4931 / 4775 Address: Cnr Church and Van der Walt streets, parking off Vermeulen street, Pretoria

SAMMY MARKS MUSEUM

The splendid Victorian mansion, which dates from 1884, was once the residence of the magnate Sammy Marks He made a significance contribution to the industrial, mining and agricultural development of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. Tel: 012 802 1150 Restaurant: 012 802 1485 Address: Route 104,Old Bronkhorstspruit Road (Off N4 highway, take Hans Strijdom off-ramp and follow the signs).

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

This is a true "hands on" museum and the only one of its kind in South Africa that unfolds the wonders of science and technology. Tel: 012 322 6406 Address: Didacta Building, 211 Skinner Street

SECURICOR LOFTUS

Pretoria tourist attractions like this one are very popular to sport lovers. Named after one of South Africa's previous rugby heavyweights, Loftus Versveld was renamed Securicor Loftus in 2003. The field is home ground to the Blue Bulls rugy team and the Mamelodi Sundowns soccer team Loftus is a popular venue for big international music shows and live events Address: Cnr of Lynnwood Road and Kirkness Street

SMUTS HOUSE MUSEUM

The many aspects of the life of Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950) - statesman, lawyer, botanist, philosopher, farmer and family man - can be seen in this wood and iron house in the country environment of the Field Marshall's farm, Doornkloof. Tel: 012 667 1176 Address: Nelmapius Road (M31), Irene

SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

At 150 metres high, the Reserve Bank is the tallest building in Pretoria. The building is a combination of reflecting glass and black Rustenburg granite. The architects Burg Dohery and Bryant built the 37-storey building. The open square in front of the building is decorated with fountains and terraces. The stainless steel, non-representational sculpture, "Untitled", by Johan van Heerden (1930) was especially commissioned to compliment the building. Tel: 012 313 3911 Address: Between Church and Vermeulen Streets, on Prinsloo Street

SPRINGBOK PARK

Indigenous park and National Monument that is very popular for wedding photos Tel: 012 344 3840 Address: Cnr Schoeman and Grosvenor Streets, Hatfield

STATE THEATRE

Designed by Hans and Roelf Botha, the architects responsible for the design of Strijdom Square, the State Theatre covers the Eastern portion of the block, housing five theatres and a square on the corner of Church and Prinsloo Streets. On completion in 1981, it was the largest centre of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Commissioned art by South African artists decorate the inside walls and foyers. Tel: 012 392 4000/60 Address: Cnr Church Street and Prinsloo Streets, Pretoria Central

THE IRENE CONCENTRATION CAMP CEMETRY

During the Anglo Boer War concentration camps were set up for Boer families. The number of people in the Irene camp on 31 August 1901 was 4655 people. More than 1200 deaths occurred at the camp. A total of 1149 names can be seen on the 80 memorial stones. Address: Irene residential area

TRANSVAAL MUSEUM

The natural science museum houses the finest selection of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects as well as remarkable display of fossils, pre-historic man and geological and archaeological material. Tel: 012 322 7632 Address: Paul Kruger Street South, Pretoria Central

UNION BUILDINGS

The Union Buildings are the administrative headquarters of the government and stand majestically on Meintjieskop, overlooking Pretoria. At the time it was built, it was the largest building project in South Africa. In 1901 the foundation was laid and on November 26 of the same year the cornerstone was laid. The massive building was completed in November 1913, at a cost of 1 180,000 pounds. On the grounds are the Delvillle Wood War Memorials, a tribute to South African troops who died during the First World War, and statues of South Africa's Prime Minister's: General Louis Botha (on horseback), JBM Hertzhorg and JC Smuts. The Union Buildings are surrounded on all sides by beautiful gardens. This could be one of the most beautiful and photogenic Pretoria tourist attractions. Tel: 012 300 5200 Address: Church Street, City Centre

Voortrekker Monument And Museum

The Voortrekker Monument was erected to commemorate the centenary of the Great Trek when Dutch and German pioneers from the Cape of Good Hope travelled by ox-wagon to the northern parts of South Africa. A series of maps at the museum charts the most important migratory patterns in the history of Southern Africa. The focus is on the lifestyles of the Voortrekkers, as well as life after the Great Trek (1835-1852). Fort Schanskop can also be seen from the Voortrekker Monument Tel: 012 323 6770 - Monument Tel: 012 323 0682 - Museum Tel: 012 71-5560 - Fort Schanskop Address: Eeufees Road (M7)

Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum

Love history of agriculture? View an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles, farming equipment and examples of implements used on a farm.

Contact Details
ph: 012 734 4171 Add: Route 104, Old Bronkhorstspruit Road

Venning Park

Lovely park with roses and water features Lovely tea garden/restaurant available

Contact Details
ph: 012 344 3840 Add: Cnr Schoeman & Eastwood Streets, Arcadia

There are a number of Pretoria tourist attractions that are not tapped into. Book yours and visit, you will never regret doing so. Source: Tswane municipality.

Pretoria tourist attractions, page1