Voortrekker Monument

Monuments of historical significance are a fantastic way to learn about a location's past. And it becomes much more alluring just by the fact that a monument constructed so long ago still draws so many visitors. The magnificent Voortrekker Monument is located in a nature reserve in the Pretoria (Tshwane) region of northern South Africa. The Voortrekker Monument, a South African National Heritage site and one of the most popular historical sites in the nation, is perched high on a hilltop south of the city center. To honor the Voortrekkers, a group of Boers who ventured north into uncharted country in the middle of the 19th century, it was constructed in 1949.

Steps lead up to the Hall of Heroes, where 27 marble reliefs portray the Great Trek of 1838. Its 40-meter-high square granite edifice is a well-known landmark in the city. There is a wall with images of ox carts, which stand in for the trip wagons, surrounding the memorial. Every year on December 16, a beam of sunlight passes through a hole in the dome and shines down onto a cenotaph that says, "Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika" ("We are for you, South Africa").

The hall occasionally holds classical music performances, showcasing its superb acoustics. Exhibits in museums show snippets of life during this significant time. Following a tour of the inside, guests can take in expansive views of Pretoria from the roof or dine at the restaurant. It is currently one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the nation and the most popular heritage site of its sort in Gauteng.

Address: Eeufees Road Groenkloof 358-Jr, Pretoria 0187 South Africa
Phone: +27 12 651 2251
Opening hours: 8 am - 4 pm
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 1869 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: https://vtm.org.za/