Places to Stay in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Geography

Positioned along the N1, Bloemfontein, the Free State capital city, is an ideal stopover for those travelling from Gauteng to Cape Town. It is located about 400km from Johannesburg and roughly 1,000km from Cape Town.

History

Bloemfontein is the seat of the Appeal Court and is the 'judicial capital' of South Africa. Known informally as the City of Roses, its history can be traced to a white settler called Rudolph Brits. In search of better grazing for his livestock, he came across a site near a strong spring, which he bartered with the local Sotho community for. Soon the area became well known as a stopover for explorers and hunters. Later on Bloemfontein (flower fountain) became the capital of the new Voortrekker Republic, and when diamonds were discovered at Kimberley and gold in the Witwatersrand, the capital gained economic strength. Today the city is the centre of South Africa's road and rail transport system, as well as being a main agricultural centre.

Arts and Culture

The city of Bloemfontein has numerous museums and monuments to keep the traveller occupied and interested in its culture. Some of these include the National Women's Monument paying tribute to the 26,370 Boer women and children who died in the South African (Anglo-Boer) War, the National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre, and the Agricultural Museum. The National Museum houses one of the largest collections of fossils and archaeological artefacts in the country. Against the backdrop of Naval Hill, travellers will see a huge white horse laid out in whitewashed rocks that helped returning horsemen get their bearings during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War. There are many interesting and varied architectural styles in Bloemfontein, containing Mediterranean, British Renaissance and Classical influences. Some of these buildings include the Appeal Court, the 1st and 4th Raadsaal, the Presidency, the sandstone City Hall, Queen's Fort, the Anglican Cathedral and the Dutch Reformed Church. The provincial heritage site at Maphikela House in Batho Village is the place where the African National Congress (ANC) was founded in 1912. The double-storey house was the venue for many important ANC meetings and belonged to a founding member of the party.

Science

Bloemfontein is home to the Free State's only botanical garden, which contain a variety of Karoo plants, more than 100 species of birds and 54 reptile species. At King's Park visitors will see the Prince's Rose Garden and the zoo, where the world's first 'liger' was bred. The liger is a mix between a tiger and a lion! Bloemfontein is also home to the Franklin Nature Reserve, located on Naval Hill, which has a selection of indigenous game including blesbok, eland and zebra. This makes Bloemfontein one of the few cities which has both a zoo and a nature reserve within its boundaries

Entertainment

For an interesting glimpse into township life, tourists can go on an organised tour into the vibey, jazzy Mangaung Township. The township is the venue for the annual Mangaung Arts and Cultural Festival, known as MACUFE, which really draws in the crowds! Back in town, Bloemfontein has an active nightlife with its numerous pubs and nightclubs. There are a handful of theatres, of which the Observatory, situated inside a real observatory within the city's nature reserve, is the most interesting. The Sand du Plessis Theatre, which hosts many varied and entertaining shows, is said to be one of the most technically advanced theatres in the world.

Did You Know

Bloemfontein is the birthplace of JRR Tolkien, famous author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.