Bloemfontein

The flat crest of Naval hill (192,5 hectares) presents several beautiful panoramic views. Naval Hill accommodates a game reserve with various animal species ranging from giraffes to steenbuck. It is othe only game reserve in a city centre to be known in South Africa. The Lamont Hussey Observatory, inside the game reserve, has been converted into an intimate theatre. Against the south-eastern slopes of Naval Hill is the well known white horse. This horse was laid out during the Anglo Boer War by the men of the Wiltshire Remount Dept as a landmark for horseman coming in from the plains. the Bloemfontein Orchid House is situated at the western foot of Naval Hill in Hamiltonpark. the orchid house is the most modern of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Visiting hours during the week are from 10:00 - 16:00 and over weekends from 10:00 - 17:00. Near the orchid house is a frangrance garden for the blind.

STATE PRESIDENT SWART PARK, KINGS PARK AND ZOO
These parks are of the largest of the city's many pleasure grounds. They are a blaze of colour almost all year round. Bloemfontein is known as the City of Roses, and more then 4000 rose trees have been planted in the rose gardens in Kings Park, which was opened in 1925 by the Prince of Wales. The popular Art in the Park is also held in Kings Park on the first Saturday of each month.

The Bloemfontein Zoo is also in this park, well known for it's large collection of primates. The Zoo is open every day of the year and visiting hours in the summer are from 08:00 to 18:00 and in winter from 08:00 to 17:00.

Adjacent to the Zoo is the Loch Logan pleasure grounds with undercover braai facilities. Close by are Bloemfontein's series of modern sport stadia for rugby, cricket, athletics, hockey and tennis as well as an Olympic standard swimming pool.

Now with the new Loch Logan Waterfront in our City of Roses, including a cinema, Fashion Shops, Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Permanent Flea Market, etc you and your family can spend your whole day with us from sunrise to sunset. 

CITY HALL AND CIVIC CENTRE
In the historical President Brand Street - in its whole declared a National Conservation Area - is the City Hall, one of numerous impressive sandstone buildings. This building with its unusual hall was designed by Sir Gordon Leith. To the west of the City Hall is the Civic Centre, inaugurated in 1992. This futuristic glass building consists of several entertainment and congressional facilities, including three auditoriums.
 
As South Africa's judicial capital, Bloemfontein has become known through the year as 'the central city', 'the hospitality city', 'the congress city', 'the total city', and 'the city of roses'.

All these designations indicate that it is a city in which not only residents but also visitors and tourists can feel truly at home and welcome. With its more than 470 000 inhabitants, the greater Bloemfontein offers adequate recreational and entertainment facilities which include public parks, swimming pools, sport fields, a game reserve and a zoo and a newly developed waterfront, as well as the new mimosa mall that has a lot more to offer than before.

Bloemfontein created a true blend in which somehow the past, the present and the future have been encapsulated. What keeps the past so alive is the unobtrusive and almost natural and historical heritage into the very life of a modern, developing city.

Graceful charm is to be seen all along the historical, tree-lined President Brand Street, a declared national monument. Stately museum buildings stand proudly visible at the ends of bustling main streets in the business district, while small monuments and memorials, almost unnoticeable, are preserved even in built-up suburbs. A variety of attractions awaits the visitor to this friendly city - from the unique blend of gracious old world charm to ultra modern high tech sophistication:

PLACES OF INTEREST
The Civic Centre, a modern glass building which serves as the headquarters of the city council - inaugurated in 1992, it boasts modern conference facilities which include, among others, three auditoriums and various reception areas.

Sand du Plessis Theatre, boasting as one of the world's most modern and technically advanced theatres, is breathtakingly beautiful, glittering in glamorous gold and magnificent marble. Tours, Wednesdays at 14:30.

The Twin-spired Church by appointment only Tel: (051) 430 4274

The National Women's Memorial, a sandstone shrine impressive in it's simplicity, is a celebrated example of South African sculpture art created by Anton von Wouw. This obelisk to the memory of the women and children who perished during the Anglo Boer War and the War Musuem adjoining it are well worth a visit. Tel: (051) 447 3447 - 447 0079

President Brand Cemetery and Presidents' Acre

The Rugby Museum of Choet Visser Tel: (051) 436 4124 (between 13h00 and 14h00) - By appointment only

Waldie Greyvendsteins' collection of vintage and classic cars and motorcycles Tel: (051) 430 3761 / 436 4132

The Unit Museum - 1 Special Service Battalion contains articles dating back to the year 1933

Queen's Fort Military Museum Tel: (051) 447 5478

Anglican Cathedral by appointment only Tel: (051) 448 2961

Afrikaans Literature Museum Tel: (051) 405 4711

Freshford House Museum Tel: (051) 447 9609

National Museum Tel: (051) 447 9609

The School of Armour, with its fine display of tanks and weaponry, and only of the original military hospitals

Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, a neo-Cape Dutch manor house originally erected to the house governor generals and later state presidents during their visits to Bloemfontein Tel: (051) 447 9609

Educational institutions such as th University of the Free State

Bloemfontein Public Library (GA Fichardt Bequest)

Hertzog Square and Hoffman Square

The monthly art market in Kings Park, the Rose Festival in October, and the Agricultural and Industrial Show in March

White horse that can be seen from Andries Pretorius Street against the slopes of Naval Hill

Appeal Court Tel: (051) 447 2631- by appointment only.

The Fourth Raadsaal Tel: (051) 447 8899 - by appointment only.

Supreme Court Tel: (051) 447 8837 - by appointment only.

The Old Presidency Tel: (051) 448 0949

Bloemfontein is further enhanced by its' natural beauty and expansiveness, which include the following:

Franklin Nature Reserve, uniquely situated in the heart of the city, on the plains above Naval Hill.
The Free State National Botanical Garden and fragrance garden for the blind
The Orchid House, where one steps into a tropical oasis of lush greenery, a circular wooden walkway taking one around this tiny jungle full of charm.
With its astonishing colour and beauty, each type of orchid makes this visit well worth while Tel: (051) 405 8488
Masselspoort Pleasure Resort
The Bloemfontein Zoo Tel: (051) 405 8483
State President Swart Park and King's Park
The popular and pleasant Loch Logan Bloemfontein's own waterfront.
 

CRAFT MARKETS
Bloemfontein Street Markets
"Die Volksblad" Arts & Crafts     Market, Kings Park     (1st Saturday of every month)
Westdene Park Market     (2nd Satuday of every month)
Show Grounds Fleamarket      (3rd Saturday of every month)
Lettie Fouché Farm Market     (last Saturday of every month)
Langenhoven Park Farm Market     (every Saturday)