Pietermaritzburg Tourist Attractions South Africa

About Pietermaritzburg

Set in the heart of South Africa 's Zulu country, Pietermaritzburg is a city of charm and dignity, at its loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom. When the first Voortrekkers arrived in 1837, they found a tranquil countryside graced by forests, hills and valleys. They settled on a fertile tract of land beside the Umsindusi River and named it after two of their leaders, Gerrit Maritz and Piet Retief. Six years later, the British upgraded the village to a military garrison town. Today, numerous Victorian and Edwardian buildings, quaint pedestrian lanes and other landmarks reflect the substantial British contribution to the development of the town.

And in shady, tree-lined suburbs of Pietermaritzburg , spacious red brick bungalows and upper-crust boarding schools reinforce the colonial ambiance of "The Last Outpost of the British Empire" as Pietermaritzburg is affectionately known. The city has a wide range of shops, hotels and restaurants, providing the ideal gateway to the exceptional country inns, recreational resorts and game reserves of the Midlands and the Drakensberg.

Tourist Attractions of Pietermaritzburg

• Pietermarizburg Railway Station

This attractive red-brick building in Railway Street dates from the Victorian era, and is notable for its contrasting stone facings and cast-iron lace work. Mahatma Ghandi was evicted from a train here in 1893, an incident which launched him on his political career.

• Umgeni Steam Railway Excursions

Trips from Hilton Station to Howick take place on the second Sunday of each month except August and September.

• The Pietermaritzburg Garden of Remembrance

This attractive garden commemorates the servicemen who lost their lives in the two world wars. Sap oozes from the famous Weeping Cross of Delville Wood on the anniversary of the battle in which many South African soldiers died. World’s View. This 305-m high vantage point has excellent views of the city and surrounding area. An old wagon road below the site was used by Voortrekkers to reach Port Natal (now Durban) and forms part of the Green Belt Trails. There are several buildings, museums, galleries and monuments of interest in Pietermartitzburg. These include The City Hall, Comrades Marathon House Museum, Macrorie House Museum, Natal Museum, Old Colonial Building, Old Government House and Voortrekker House.

Church Street has been converted into an attractive pedestrian shopping mall. The African Arts & Craft Centre in Fraser Lane specialises in traditional and contemporary work, including sculpture, hand-woven rugs and tapestries, batiks, jewellery and collectors’ pieces.