Bloemfontein

The city is situated at an elevation of 1,395 m (4,577 ft) above sea level and is home to an estimated half a million residents. It forms part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (Mangaung is a Sesotho word meaning “place of cheetahs”).

Bloemfontein, or “Bloem”, as the locals like to call it, is the judicial capital of South Africa. It’s situated in central South Africa, in the Free State province. It happens to be the author of The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien’s place of birth. It’s safe to say there’s more than a little magic here.

Museums

It’s unique in that it is the size of a large African city yet has the atmosphere of a small country town. Bloemfontein is a city rich in history, where museums and military buildings remember the Anglo-Boer War (also known as the South African War). The National Museum and Anglo-Boer War Museum are highly regarded among historians.

The South African Armour Museum displays tanks, weaponry, and an original military hospital. Overlooking the city is Naval Hill, with a striking white horse marking its slopes. The horse was laid out during the Anglo-Boer War as a landmark for approaching horsemen.

Franklin Nature Reserve and the Nelson Mandela Statue

The 250-hectare Franklin Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of wildlife and is one of only four nature reserves in the world to be located within the perimeters of a city. The reserve is home to giraffe, buck, ostrich, and many more forms of wildlife. There are no large predators. Naval Hill is situated in the middle of the Reserve.

On top of Naval Hill stands the statue of Nelson Mandela The statue faces the Methodist Church in Waaihoek, where the ANC was established in 1912 – the oldest liberation movement in Africa. At 8 meters in height, this statue of Nelson Mandela remains the largest one made in honour of this world icon.

The Naval Hill Planetarium and the Boyden Observatory

Also situated on Naval Hill – The Naval Hill Planetarium, the first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa. Situated at the old Lamont-Hussey Observatory, the Planetarium offers visitors an immersive experiential journey through the outer reaches of space. The University of the Free State, with the support of founding partners – the Department of Science and Technology, the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Mangaung Metro Municipality, established the planetarium. The planetarium was opened in 2013. This is the closest most people will come to traveling the galaxy.

Another must-visit for astronomy enthusiasts is the Boyden Observatory situated 26 kilometers east of the city. In addition to its role as an astronomical research station, Boyden Observatory also has a Science Education Centre, under the auspices of the University of the Free State and with the support of its donors and the Friends of Boyden. The observatory hosts frequent public events in the form of open evenings and a regular weekly event on selected Fridays. Amateur astronomers and tourists are welcome to visit the observatory.

Free State Botanical Gardens

Bloemfontein is home to the Free State Province’s only botanical garden. It covers 70 hectares and is home to about 400 species of plants, some 124 bird species, and 54 species of reptiles that inhabit the garden.

Architecture and Art

If you have an interest in architecture you have to visit the only twin-spired Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, built in 1880. We also recommend you visit the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery – a neo-Cape Dutch manor house. There is also the Freshford House Museum, which brings to life the 1890’s – late Victorian era. To complete an architecture tour, the magnificent City Hall, the Supreme Court of Appeal and Fourth Raadsaal buildings are also impressive in their own right.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bloemfontein!

For more places of interest please visit: https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/departments/international-affairs/tourism/tourist-attractions

References:

https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/naval-hill https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/places-to-go/big-city-life/bloemfonteinhttps://www.ufs.ac.za/planetarium/planetarium-home/general/historyhttps://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/departments/international-affairs/tourism/tourist-attractionshttps://nasmus.co.za/freshford-house-museum/https://museumexplorer.co.za/freshford-house-museum/http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-oliewenhuis-art-museum-Bloemfonteinhttps://nasmus.co.za/oliewenhuis-introduction/