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| Kimberley | ||
| province | Northern Cape | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 1,184 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Kimberley is a city on the eastern border of the Northern Cape Province in South Africa.
background
At the end of the 1860s, the first diamond was found on the site of what was then de Beer Farm in what is now the city center. A real diamond rush set in, which attracted thousands of diamond seekers within a few years. In 1877 the rapidly growing diamond prospecting town was named after him in honor of the British Colonial Minister, Earl of Kimberley.
The diamond mining was initially carried out by a motley army of privately working diamond seekers of various origins and races in the so-called open-cast mine. Big holes. However, mining companies soon established themselves, employing large numbers of miners under miserable working conditions. Mining moved underground towards the end of the 19th century. To this day, the appearance of the city has been shaped by mining. The size de Beer Mine was not shut down until 2006. Since then, mine visits are no longer possible.
In the center of the city, many Victorian-style buildings testify to the city's former wealth. The electric tram was put into operation as early as 1880. Kimberley claims the first electric street lamp in the southern hemisphere. It can be seen today in the open-air museum at the Big Hole. Entrepreneurs who became wealthy preferred to settle in the southeastern part of Belgravia. To this day, Belgravia has remained a renowned residential area with many historic villas.
getting there
By plane
The city has an airport. South African Express offers daily flights to Johannesburg.
By train
Kimberley is on the Johannesburg-Cape Town rail route.
road
Kimberley is on the well-developed N12, 470km southwest of Johannesburg. The N12 via Kimberley is a suitable alternative route to the N1, the Cape Town and connects Johannesburg. The distance to Cape Town is 960km.
Of Bloemfontein you can reach Kimberley via the R48, 160km.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
- Big hole, West Circular (about 1km west of the city center). Tel.: (0)531-31557. The main attraction of the city. Believed to be the largest hand-dug hole in the world. Systematic diamond mining was carried out here for the first time in the world from 1871. The Big Hole is located in an enclosed museum area and can only be viewed from a viewing platform. The pit of the former open-cast mine was 240 m deep, and today the surface of the infiltrated groundwater is 175 m below the surface of the earth.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Big Hole Mining Museum (In the area of the Big Hole). Diamond Mining Museum and Museum City. The mine museum is visited in combination with the actual Big Hole. The history of diamond mining is explained in guided tours. The museum contains a replica of a mining gallery that gives the illusion of a functional mine at the beginning of the 19th century. In the treasury there are outstanding examples of diamonds, including the first diamond found in Kimberley, the so-called. Eureka. Typical streets from around 1900 are reproduced in the open-air museum in front of the mine museum. Entry to the open-air museum is free.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: 55 rand.
- Historic tram. The tram line opened in 1880 and runs from the town hall in the city center to the Big Hole. Today the journey in open, historic wagons is used exclusively for tourism purposes. Trips every hour, if necessary also every half hour, special trips for groups possible.Open: daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: 7 rand.
- Military museum (At the Honored Dead Memorial Square south of the center). Boer Wars and World War II.
- Historical walking tour of Belgravia. Lots of villas and nice parks.
- Africana Library, Chapel Street. One of the most respected libraries in South Africa, opened in 1887, a large part of the historical furniture has been preserved to this day.
- City Hall, Market Square. Built in 1899.
- Duggan-Cronin Gallery, Egerton Street. Collection of 8000 ethnographic photos from the period between 1919 and 1939, which were taken on expeditions to rural areas of South Africa.
activities
shop
Shops in the city center close at 5 p.m. Shopping malls in suburbs are sometimes open until 8 p.m.
Directly across from the mine museum is a diamond grinding shop where you can buy diamonds.
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
- Greatbatch Guest House, 3 Egerton Road, Belgravia. Tel.: (0)538321113, Mobile: (0)844575600, Email: [email protected]. Uncomplicated and familiar house in historic Belgravia, safe.Price: Dormitory: 70 Rand p.p., 2-bed room: 320 Rand, camping possible.
- Big Hole Caravan Park, Tucker Street (West of the Big Hole). Tel.: (0)531806332. Price: car, tent, 2 people, 90 rand.
security
During the day you can safely stroll through the city on foot, but the city center empties suddenly with the onset of dusk. All shops in the city center close at 5 p.m. At night you shouldn't be walking in the center without an urgent reason. On the other hand, better neighborhoods like Belgravia are also considered to be quite safe at night.
Practical advice
- Tourist information, 121 Bultfontain Road (1.5 km south of the center). Tel.: (0)53-8327298, Fax: (0)53-8327211, Email: [email protected].
trips
literature
Web links
- http://www.solplaatje.org.za/ - Kimberley Official Website
