6 Amazing Historical Buildings in South Africa

When you think of impressive historical architecture, images of the Colosseum or the Pantheon probably come to mind (okay, Rome, we get it.) A place that probably doesn’t immediately enter your consciousness is South Africa. It’s true that none of the places you’re about to see have shown up on your Googled list of the most beautiful historical buildings in the world – but it’s only because the author of that list hasn’t had the privilege of exploring South Africa.

Not to boast, but this author has.

South Africa forms the backdrop for some truly spectacular historical buildings and remarkable architecture – and they’re vastly different from the unique traditional huts with which the country has become synonymous. Here’s where to head on your next trip to South Africa if you’re a history buff who’s a sucker for stucco or bonkers for balustrades.

1. Vergelegen

Vergelegen Wine Estate in South Africa’s Western Cape province is for the guest who wants a glass of wine with his or her history lesson – i.e. everyone. In 1700, Governor William Adriaan van der Stel took up residence in the Cape. He named his piece of land “Vergelegen” – which translates to “far away” from the bustle of Cape Town’s city centre. Back then, it took a full day of travel for visitors from the Cape to pop by van der Stel’s homestead for drinks. Now, it’s just a 40-minute drive – technology has its merits. The original home has been restored and is still open to the public, and the flawlessly kept octagonal garden entices visitors all year round. Stepping into the perfectly preserved homestead and reading the history of the old slave lodge site is like entering an alternate dimension – it’s as eerie as it is fascinating.

2. Durban City Hall

Durban, South Africa’s third-biggest city, is home to three-million people and some really amazing buildings. City Hall is one such architectural feat. Built in the early 1900s and designed by famed architect Stanley Hudson, Durban City Hall’s detail harkens back to a bygone era. The roof, decidedly Renaissance in appearance, houses statues of warriors, lions and noblewomen, while the opulent interior is all polished wood, marble and ornate iron. The large central dome is surrounded by four smaller domes, each representing one of art, literature, music and commerce. This dramatic design has been dubbed Neo-Baroque, an architectural style of the late 19th century that today would more commonly be found in the historical buildings of France, Britain and Germany. It’s certainly a novel experience to see it in the Durban city centre.

3. The Castle of Good Hope

Built in the 17th century, Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope, which can be found resting at the foot of Table Mountain, is today considered the world’s best preserved example of a Dutch East India Company fort. (It’s also possibly, maybe very haunted – but that’s a story for another day.) The castle, a pentagonal structure built between 1666 and 1679, is the oldest colonial building in South Africa. But, there’s even more history behind its construction: the slate used in paving the castle came from quarries on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela would be imprisoned hundreds of years later. When you visit, be sure to look out for the coat-of-arms of the United Netherlands, and the painting by Lady Anne Barnard in the Baroque gable. It’s a slice of South African history that every traveller should experience.

4. The Lindfield Victorian House

Here’s something just a little bit… creepy. The Lindfield Victorian House in Johannesburg appears totally unaltered by the passage of time. Constructed in 1909, the house is furnished and decorated exactly as it would have been over 100 years ago, from 19th century furniture to art from the Edwardian period. Eighteen rooms are open to the public, including the reception rooms, the ladies’ drawing room and the gentlemen’s library. There’s even a dining room specifically for children, as one does. Believe it or not, you haven’t teleported into the pages of a Jane Austen novel; you’re in the middle of South Africa’s biggest cosmopolitan city. To book a tour, head to their website.

5. Pilgrim’s Rest

Mpumalanga’s Pilgrim’s Rest isn’t so much a “building” – rather, it’s an entire historic town that today serves as a truly extraordinary museum. Pilgrim’s Rest is a window into the days of the South African gold rush during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This provincial heritage site was the second home of the Transvaal gold fields – areas in which substantial gold discoveries were made. In 1873, it attracted a huge influx of crusty prospectors. Today, the  architecture of the town’s historical buildings is virtually unchanged from its heyday. Expect houses constructed of wood and corrugated iron, with interiors that are largely Victorian in aesthetic. You can even book a tour to see the old printing museum.

6. St. George’s Cathedral

The oldest cathedral in South Africa, St. George’s also wins the prize for most beautiful. It’s an iconic landmark smack in the middle of the city – in fact, Thursday’s St. George’s Market sees workers from all over town grabbing lunch at one of the delicious food stalls scattered in the vicinity. The building’s history befits its grandeur. In 1827, the Bishop of Calcutta became determined to build an Anglican church in Cape Town. The foundation stone was laid three years later on St. George’s Day, 23 April. The tower frame is built of reinforced concrete with a layer of Table Mountain sandstone, and the stained glass windows are a marvel to behold. During South Africa’s Apartheid era, St. George’s kept its doors open to people of all races – to this day, the cathedral remains a strong symbol for democracy in South Africa.

To find out more about African history, take a look at the 9 Ancient African Kingdoms You Should Know About.

Featured Picture Credit: Ossewa