Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein, the Capital City of the Free State Province in So

Bloemfontein, the Capital City of the Free State Province in South Africa is centrally situated roughly in the middle of the Province, as well as in South Africa.

The "City of Roses", as Bloemfontein is known locally, is placed with more pivotal importance than any other city in the country. The Judicial Capital, sixth largest city in South Africa, lies on the main road, rail and air links between north and south, east and west.

Shopping in picturesque, neat surroundings where it is cool, parking space is ample and convenient, and friendly staff provide efficient service, is a pleasant experience

The atmosphere that one feels in Bloemfontein, this heart of the Free State situated in the central highlands, is one based on an appreciation of family values, where quality of life is of prime importance. Business and family interests are combined, in a hand-in-glove way, with no reason for discord; cultures are intermingled, again with peaceable accord.

There is little stress and less haste; the peaceful atmosphere, which is somehow almost tangible, can be felt in every street, on every pavement - all of which are noticeably clean and free of litter.

Graceful charm is to be seen all along the historical, tree-lined President Brand Street, a declared national monument; stately museum buildings stand proudly visible at the ends of the bustling main streets in the business district, while small monuments and memorials, almost unnoticeable, are deliberately preserved even in built-up suburbs.

Historical buildings include the City Hall, Old Presidency, buildings of judicial implication, the Anglican Cathedral, railway station, the Dutch Reformed twin tower church and many more.

Other attractions in Bloemfontein include the Orchid House, a tropical oasis of lush beauty, with astonishing colour and uniqueness. Then theres Loch Logan, a popular venue for a braai or get-together, or the Botanical Gardens, or Aventura Maselspoort, where you can enjoy various activities and watersports.

The Bloemfontein Zoo, Naval Hill with the Franklin Reserve, Sand du Plessis Theatre, other theatres and galleries, arts and craft-markets. For the culture-vultures there are also the Bloemfontein National Museum and the Womens Memorial and War Musem.

The only way you are ever getting to know this beautiful, vast city with its pleasant surroundings and friendly peoples, is to come and visit us. Contact us beforehand, we will inform you on our cultural calender, sporting activities, conference venues or whatever you need to know - just come and experience and enjoy.

On the golden highveld plains, amidst the tranquil settlements of the Transgariep, lies the vibrant and bustling city of Bloemfontein – capital of the Free State and judicial capital of South Africa. The Tswana name for Bloemfontein ‘Mangaung’ means ‘place of the cheetah’, serving as a reminder of the African wilderness which once existed before being tamed and settled. The modern history of Bloemfontein dates back to 1840, when one Johannes Nicholas Brits, a Voortrekker farmer, decided to settle on these vast open plains, and built himself a clay dwelling in the area alongside a spring surrounded by flowers. A settlement soon developed, and the flourishing town was eventually granted the ultimate recognition, with it’s proclamation as the capital of the Republic of the Orange Free State in 1854. The Anglo Boer War saw the British penetrate and occupy Boer territory, including Bloemfontein. And there in lies one of the most fascinating aspects of Bloemfontein’s personality and appearance – it is a melting pot of British and African cultures. This cultural amalgamation is discernible in all facets of Bloemfontein – the street names, places of interest, museum, monuments and much more.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bethlehem 247 km, Cape Town 998 km, Durban 667 km, Gariep Dam 190 km, Johannesburg 417 km, Kroonstad 210 km, Welkom 153 km

Altitude: 1395 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 500 mm – 600 mm

Community

Conference Facilities, Fire Brigade, Libraries 7, Police Station

Dams – Rustfontein

Health – Ambulance Services, Hospital 10

Transport Bus

Free State Tours, Greyhound, Intercape, Municipal Buses, Spoornet Passenger Services, Translux, Transport to Lesotho

Airlines

SA Airlink, SA Airways, Vermeulen’s Aviation CC

Car Rental

Avis Car Hire, Budget Car Hire, Imperial Car Hire, Imperial – Safari Motors, Tempest Car Hire

Taxis

Rosestad Taxis, Silver Leaf Taxis

HISTORICAL VIEW

Anglican Cathedral

This cathedral is regarded as the spiritual heart of Bloemfontein and it’s foundation stone was laid in 1850 by the city’s founder, Major Henry Douglas Warden. The interior décor epitomises graceful elegance and the beautiful windows are classical Victorian

Bloemfontein City Hall

Impressive sandstone building designed by Sir Gordon Leith. It is located in President Brand Street, which has been declared a National Conservation Area in it’s entirety

Court of Appeal

The Raadsaal is faced by the Court of Appeal, the highest court in the country. The stinkwood paneled courtroom itself is the most magnificent in South Africa while the Judges’ Library adds dignity to the already impressive building. The first sitting of this Court of Appeal took place on 4 June 1910.

Fourth Raadsaal

Free State Agricultural Museum

This living agricultural museum depicts farming activities which take place on a daily basis and represents various aspects of farming culture which have been preserved for future generations.

Free State Education Museum

The museum serves as an archive for the Education Department, and can be visited by appointment only. The museum was opened on 26 April 1986.

Freshford House Museum

Freshford was built in 1897 by the architect, John Edwin Harrison, and belonged to him and his wife, Kate Caroline Marchant, until 1902. The house has been restored by the National Museum and furnished as a house museum.

Hertzog Square

Opposite the City Hall in Hertzog Square. The imposing monument dedicated to General JBM Hertzog comprises a statue with fountains. Sculptor Danie de Jager.

Jukskei Museum

This museum, the only of it’s kind in the world, presents the origin and development of the one true South African sport practiced in several parts of the world – Jukskei. Visit by appointment only.

National Museum

The museum houses the most extensive collection of fossil and archaeological material in South Africa, including a reconstruction of the Florisbad Skull.

National Museum for Afrikaans Literature, Theatre and Music

National Women’s Memorial & War Museum

At a commanding site near the south end of Monument Road is the national Women’s Monument, a celebrated example of South African Sculpture art, created by Anton van Wouw. This sandstone shrine of 36,5 m in height was erected in memory of the women and children who lost their lives during the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902). Emily Hobhouse, the ‘turncoat’ heroine who drew the world’s attention to the appalling conditions in the concentration camps, is also buried here.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum

This Neo Cape Dutch manor house was originally erected to house the Governors General and later State Presidents during their visits to Bloemfontein. The house was largely under-utilised, and was handed over to the National Museum in 1985 to function as an Art Museum.

President Brand Cemetery & President’ Acre

Opposite the Old Fort is the President Brand Cemetery, where many men, women and children who lost their lives in the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902) are buried. The President’s Acre in President Avenue is the last resting place of former State Presidents.

Queen’s Fort – Military Museum

In Church Street, on the brow of the hills the Old Fort was erected during 1848 as a strongheld against native raids. Near the entrance is a monument to the memory of the burgers who fell in the Basotho War. The museum depicts all conflicts in the Free State from 1820 – 1990.

Rugby Museum

One of the largest private rugby collections in the world

SA Armour Museum

This museum deals specifically with the military area of armour. It consists of an indoor and outdoor area and a reference library.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court opposite the Fire Brigade in President Brand Street is the seat of the Provincial Law Courts. The magnificent interior warrants a visit. Civil, as well as criminal cases from all over the Free State are heard here. It was built during 1909 at a cost of 60 000 pounds.

The First Raadsaal

Turning into St Georges Street, the visitor comes to a humble, one roomed building, with thatched roof and dung smeared floor. This is the Old Raadsaal erected by Major Warden during 1849. It is indeed unique, for it has housed in succession nearly every civilian institution, church, conference chamber, parliament house, school and museum, a record as strange as it is honourable.

The Fountain

The concrete column and city emblem in mosaic are the symbols of the fountain from which Bloemfontein got it’s name.

The Fourth Raadsaal

The Raadsaal, the last home of the ‘Model’ Free State Republican Parliament is an impressively designed edifice in the classical style. The building was completed in 1893 the architect being L Canning, the builder JH Robertson. The original benches used by the Volksraad still remain. The busts of the six presidents adorn the walls, while behind the seat of the chairman hangs the original Coat of Arms of the Free State, beautifully carved in wood. Facing the Raadsaal is the Court of Appeal

The Old Presidency

Diagonally opposite the Magistrate’s Court stands a lovely Victorian house museum, dating back to the era of the Presidents of the former Republic of the Orange Free State.

The White Horse

Located on the slopes of Naval Hill, this horse was laid out during the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902) by the men of the Wiltshire Remount Depot as a landmark for horsemen riding in from the plains.

Twin Spired Church

This is the only twin spired Dutch Reformed Church in the country. Completed in 1880. The last three presidents of the Free State Republic took the oath of office here.

Unit Museum – 1 Special Service Battalion

This special battalion was born out of grim circumstances and despair of the Great Depression, to save the youth from the loss of self confidence and the risk of moral and physical degeneration caused by massive and prolonged unemployment at the time. Articles in the museum date back to the year 1933.

War Museum

Adjacent to the National Women’s Memorial, the museum gives insight into the Anglo Boer War through it’s art collection, dioramas and exhibits

NATURE

Franklin Nature Reserve

Uniquely situated in the heart of the city, this reserve covers 200 ha of Naval Hill. The reserve is open daily and is home to a variety of game species, including springbok, eland, red hartebeest and blesbok.

Free State National Botanical Garden

This garden, on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, spans a valley between picturesque dolerite koppies with the natural vegetation comprising tall grassland and woodland, dominated by magnificent wild olive and karee trees. The garden is home to about 400 species of plants, mainly from the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho, including a fine collection of decorative and hardy trees indigenous to the area. The harmony of the garden has been achieved by retaining and highlighting the best elements of the natural landscape. Lion’s ear (Leonotis). Red hot poker (Kniphofia) and dwarf coral tree (Erythrina zeyheri) provide touches of colour against a restful woodland backdrop. A series of vistas leads one naturally through the garden, to the wooded koppies, up onto the rock outcrops that overlook the garden, and back down to the dam, to the bird hide, and the lawns. From November to March, most of the plants in the garden are in full leaf and from March to June, the colourful autumn shades of yellow and red dominate. The natural areas of the garden are a haven for wildlife, including 122 species of birds, 54 species of reptiles and 28 species of mammals. Two demonstration garden were developed recently. One to display plants with medicinal properties and the other to demonstrate waterwise gardening principles. Indigenous plants are on sale on Monday to Saturday and special plant sales are held annually, usually in September or October. A well equipped lapa is available for private functions. Environmental Education tours may be conducted for visiting school and community groups. Teacher work shops on Outcomes Based Education in Botanical Gardens are conducted upon request by schools. The garden is open 365 days a year from 08:00 – 18:00. An entrance fee is payable. Botanical Society members have free entrance.

Naval Hill

The flat topped Naval Hill rising from the heart of Bloemfontein offers spectacular views of the city and surroundings. The Franklin Nature Reserve is situated on Naval Hill. The Lamont Hussey Observatory has been converted into a theatre.

Soetdoring Nature Reserve

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Family Show – March

Macufe Festival – September

Rose Festival – October

Bloemfontein Orchid House

Boasting one of the world’s largest collections of orchids, this is believed to be the most modern orchid house in the southern hemisphere.

Civic Centre

This glass and steel edifice dominating the Bloemfontein skyline was opened in 1992. The civic centre boasts modern conference facilities, including three auditoriums.

Civic Theatre

Keep an eye on the media for productions

Collection of Vintage, Classic Cars, Motorcycles and Motormobilia

Items related to the motorcar over the past 100 years. Viewing to be arranged with the owner – Waldie Greyvenstein.

CR Swart Building

This edifice, the pride of the Free State, comprises inter alia, the Provincial Legislator and the head office of PACOFS. From the revolving restaurant on the 26^th floor, a spectacular view of the city can be obtained.

GA Fichardt Library

Collection of Africana and a unique drama library

Hoffman Square

The square lies between Maitland Street and St Andrew Street and houses the bus office and terminus. The square lies within walking distance of the railway station, the post office, the most important shops, business centre, hotels and places of entertainment. All buses on city routes depart from here and taxis are available from East Burger Street and the station.

Maselspoort

The Aventura Resort Bloemfontein, situated on the banks of the Modder River a short distance from Bloemfontein, offers opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Swimming, rowing, fishing and other recreational facilities. Accommodation is available, both chalets and caravan sites.

Sand du Plessis Theatre

Completed in 1985 at a cost of over R60 million, this is one of the most modern theatres in the world. Works of art worth thousands of rands form part of the theatre’s décor.

State President Swart Park, King’s Park and Zoo

These parks are the largest of the city’s many pleasure grounds. They are a blaze of colour almost all year round. Bloemfontein is known as the City of Roses and more than 4000 rose trees have been planted in the rose garden in King’s Park. Within the area of King’s Park is the Zoo, where an interesting collection of birds and animals are displayed in almost natural surroundings. This zoo has the largest collection of primates (apes) in South Africa. Altogether 16 different species are encountered here.

Street Market

Botanical Gardens, Langenhoven Park Farm, Lettie Fouche Farm, Night, Westdene Park

Suburban Parks and Play Parks

There are approximately 295 parks in the greater Bloemfontein region, of which 80 are play parks and include up to 467 jungle gyms.

ACTIVITIES

Bird Watching – Botanical Gardens

Fishing – Maselspoort

Hiking

Hiking expeditions for families or groups are offered by a hiking club, and a mountaineering club, wonderful adventures can be enjoyed on different hiking routes in the vicinity of Ficksburg, Clocolan, as well as Lesotho.

Eko Park

Happy Valley

Langenhoven Park

Olienwandelpad

Located in the suburb of Pellisier. One hour.

Vallei van Sewe Damme

Accommodation in and around Bloemfontein