Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg, also known as The Heritage City, owes its special character to its rich architectural heritage. Laid out on a grid plan, with a market square as the focal point, part of the city’s unique atmosphere and charm comes from the network of quaint, narrow pedestrian lanes linking Church and Longmarket streets. Regarded as one of the finest Victorian cities in the world, Pietermaritzburg’s numerous historic treasures include the imposing City Hall (1900) – the largest all-brick building in the southern hemisphere – the Legislative Assembly (1889) and Legislative Council (1899) buildings, Government House (late 1860s), Publicity House (1884) and the late-19th-century railway station.
Despite its overwhelmingly British colonial character, the city’s history is intimately linked to that of the Voortrekkers, who settled here in 1838. They named the settlement Pietermauritzburg after Pieter Mauritz Retief, who led the first trek into Natal. In 1938, it was decided to honour the leader of the second trek, Gert Maritz, as well and the name was changed to Pietermaritzburg. Among the buildings relating to the trekkers are the Voortrekker Museum, Voortrekker House (the only surviving double-storey Voortrekker house in Pietermaritzburg, dating back to 1846) and Welverdient, the house of trek leader Andries Pretorius.
Of more recent historic interest is the statue in Church Street Mall honouring Mahatma Gandhi, who developed the philosophy of satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, to achieve social and political reform in South Africa. Other major attractions include the Natal Museum, the Macrorie House Museum (furnished with Victorian period pieces) and Comrades Marathon House, headquarters of one of the world’s most famous ultra marathons. The Tatham Art Gallery has an extensive collection of South African art, as well as collections of 19th and 20th-century British and French painting. An interesting pastime is hunting down the more than 2 000 elephants that are depicted on buildings, arches, poles and windows in the city. The Natal National Botanic Garden covers 49 ha of landscaped and natural gardens focusing on the indigenous flora of KwaZulu-Natal. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the city’s Green Belt along several well-marked walks.
Source: http://www.southafrica.org.za/tour-sa-midlands-meander.html
