Voortrekker MonumentGauteng, South africa
Voortrekker Monument of Pretoria as seen from the front steps 1
One of South Africa's famous monuments, a large granite structure built to commemorate Dutch settlers who fled the British rule of the 19th century Cape colony.
It was built from 1937 to 1949 and has four floors — the upper three each having a large circular hole at the centre for viewing the one below it.
At the bottom is the cenotaph room — windowless, with flags of the countries the voortrekkers were from, as well as displays and paintings about them.
At its centre is a cenotaph with the words 'Ons vir jou, Suid Afrka' on it — Afrikaans for 'Us for you, South Afrika'.
The first floor holds the hall of heroes — the tallest in the building, with four windows on each side and one of the world's longest marble frieze, showing the Voortrekker's hardships during their journey.
Far above the ground is the second floor, straddling the building's exterior and offering amazing panoramas of the city.
The third floor holds a viewing platform for the floors below, and a dome above it with a small opening that allows a ray of sunlight into the building.
Every 16th December the ray highlights the cenotaph's words far below — a symbol of God's blessing.
Around the building is a stone wall made to resemble a laager with 64 ox wagons — the same number used at the battle of blood river.
The area also has a restaurant, shop and museum.
What to do thereSight seeing, picnics, hiking, dine at the restaurant, or explore the museum.
Best time to visitAny time of the year.
Location of Voortrekker MonumentAt the top of a hill inside the Voortrekker monument Nature reserve — with a good view of Pretoria from the south.
How to get thereBy vehicle, train, cycling, walking, bus.
There is a train station nearby as well as an airport within the city's limits.
References1. By PaulaGruben - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27990266
It was built from 1937 to 1949 and has four floors — the upper three each having a large circular hole at the centre for viewing the one below it.
At the bottom is the cenotaph room — windowless, with flags of the countries the voortrekkers were from, as well as displays and paintings about them.
At its centre is a cenotaph with the words 'Ons vir jou, Suid Afrka' on it — Afrikaans for 'Us for you, South Afrika'.
The first floor holds the hall of heroes — the tallest in the building, with four windows on each side and one of the world's longest marble frieze, showing the Voortrekker's hardships during their journey.
Far above the ground is the second floor, straddling the building's exterior and offering amazing panoramas of the city.
The third floor holds a viewing platform for the floors below, and a dome above it with a small opening that allows a ray of sunlight into the building.
Every 16th December the ray highlights the cenotaph's words far below — a symbol of God's blessing.
Around the building is a stone wall made to resemble a laager with 64 ox wagons — the same number used at the battle of blood river.
The area also has a restaurant, shop and museum.
What to do thereSight seeing, picnics, hiking, dine at the restaurant, or explore the museum.
Best time to visitAny time of the year.
Location of Voortrekker MonumentAt the top of a hill inside the Voortrekker monument Nature reserve — with a good view of Pretoria from the south.
How to get thereBy vehicle, train, cycling, walking, bus.
There is a train station nearby as well as an airport within the city's limits.
References1. By PaulaGruben - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27990266
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