 | ||
| Pretoria | ||
| province | Gauteng | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 741.651 (2011) | |
| height | 1,339 m, 1,332 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Pretoria is the capital South Africa and lies in the Gauteng Province.
background
The seat of government of South Africa is in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. However, the centers of state power are distributed. The National Assembly (parliament) meets alternately for six months in Pretoria and in Cape Town, and the highest judicial authority in the country is in with the Supreme Court of Appeal Bloemfontein.
In 2005 there was a decision by the Pretoria City Council in Tshwane rename. This decision was reversed in August 2007, so the city has kept its name. However, the district to which Pretoria belongs was renamed Tshwane.
Pretoria hosted the Soccer World Cup 2010
getting there
By plane
- Johannesburg Airport O.R. Tambo, around 50 km south of the city. The small airports in the suburbs of Lanseria and Wonderboom are only of regional importance. From there travel by Gautrain (via Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria), rental car or shuttle service (offices in the terminal, some can also be booked via the Internet). Do not allow the taxi drivers to take you with you at the airport.
By train
In the province Gauteng there is a network of Metrorail, it connects Pretoria with its suburbs. The train is not recommended for tourists without prior knowledge. Ask local people. There are train connections to Kempton Park to the airport and on to Johannesburg. The Gautrain has been in operation since 2010 Gautrain a fast train connection (160 km / h) between Pretoria, Johannisburg and ORT airport. An app for travel times is available. Good system except in the evening. Buses run from the stops to other destinations in the area. Safe parking. Chargeable. Payment at the machine with the Gautrain plastic card. Also suitable for fun trips to shop in Rosebank and Sandton city
By bus
In the street
Important road connections are:
- the N1: It comes from the south of Cape Town, 1500 km away, and Johannesburg, 64 km away, and continues north to the 260 km away Polokwane and on to the border to Zimbabve.
- the N4: it comes from the west Rustenburg (116 km) and goes to the east via Emalahleni Mpumalanga (322 km) to the border to Mozambique
- the R21 connects Alz Tollstrasse (tolls with scanning stations) with Pretoria Kempton Park and the airport.
mobility
Toll fees: Either cash at the counter or on the highways between Pretoria, airport, Johannisburg via electronic chip. The rental car company will automatically debit these fees with a delay after the car has been returned to the credit card. Otherwise, after driving through the terminals, drive to the payment stations in many shopping centers or directly on the motorways (these are often more competent) within a few days. The popularity and service of this system are not always in the green. Those who are familiar can also avoid them. Overview map on the Internet or sometimes at the paying offices. Foreign credit cards are NOT accepted at the toll booths or at petrol stations. Reduce journeys in the dark. Watch out for "dodgy characters" at traffic lights and stopping streets. Drive through if necessary (red, stop). Crossings with signs (red dot on white sign) are risky. Basically drive passively, as local drivers often do not know paragraph 1 and are often not always fit to drive. In contrast, the minibus taxis are very experienced, but unfortunately brake at the most inopportune places (e.g. directly after the traffic lights to pick up passengers: distance! Overall, many drive too fast or absent. You should avoid minibus taxis, especially if you have no prior knowledge Quite well developed city bus system with a peculiar timetable and level of organization is well suited for driving around, also in the city. You should look at the routes in advance on the Internet, but still know your way around. Cycle times only good in rush hour. No service in the evening. No timetables for the layperson available.Since the beginning of 2016 there has been a rapid bus system "A Re Yeng". Details at url =http://showme.co.za/pretoria/tourism/tshwane-announces-bus-rapid-transit-system/
Tourist Attractions
- Pretoria is known for the numerous jacaranda trees, their blue flowers characterize the cityscape in spring.
- 1 Kruger House, 60 Church Street West, Pretoria. Tel.: 27(0) 12 326 9172, Email: [email protected]. Lived in this house Ohm Kruger, the former President of the South African Republic. In the house, which was built in 1884, there is still a lot of original furniture, some of which have been added in style. You can visit the reception room and the two offices of the President, the reception room of his wife as well as the living rooms and the kitchen of the family. Behind the house is in a building called ZAR hall with pictures and documents of the President of the Zuid-Afrikaanche Republiek, a carriage, an ox wagon and a ship model complete the collection. In front of it stands a cannon that was made by South African blacksmiths for the battle of the Boers against the English. There is a railway wagon in the garden, which was used as a residence for Paul Krüger at times. His time in exile is presented in another room.
- Reform earth Kerk. The church is opposite the Kruger house.
- Voortrekker monument. It was built in 1937-1949 in memory of the Boers who traveled through South Africa in several trains and settled the Cape Colony. It stands on a hill in a nature reserve about 6 km outside of town. The monument has a height of 41 m, its base is 40 x 40 m. A staircase leads to a circular area, which is surrounded by a wall that represents a castle of 64 wagons. Another staircase then leads to the entrance of the monument. Inside, the history of the treks is shown on a large tapestry. Stairs lead down to dioramas with scenes of the treks. In the center of the basement there is a cenotaph. The light of the sun falls on him at noon on December 16th, shining through an opening in the ceiling. You can take an elevator up and then have a beautiful view of Pretoria and the surrounding area from a height of around 40 m.Open: May - Aug 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sep - Apr 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Price: Entrance fee: ZAR 20, museum ZAR 40.
- Fort Schanskop. One of Pretoria's three forts is on the site of the Voortrekker Monument.
- 2 Memorial to Nelson Mandela, in the garden in front of the Union Buildings. The nine-meter-high bronze statue of the former South African president, who ruled from 1994 to 1999, was unveiled by President Jacob Zuma on December 16, 2013 shortly after Mandela's death. The monument, designed by the sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, shows Mandela with arms outstretched.
activities
shop
kitchen
nightlife
Student nightlife with many bars and clubs takes place in Hatfield.
accommodation
Learn
- Distance University UNISA
Work
security
As in all major cities in the world and especially in South Africa, caution is advised. Pretoria is quite safe because of the high police force. As a tourist, do not stop unnecessarily in the city, under no circumstances after business hours / after dark. Parking only in multi-storey car parks. Places and times to be visited as well as parking should definitely be questioned with locals. Shopping, cinema, going out in the outlying shopping centers, these are also relatively safe in the evenings.
health
Practical advice
- German Embassy - German Embassy, 180 Blackwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083. Tel.: 27(0)12 427 8900.
- Austrian Embassy - Austrian Embassy, 1103 Duncan Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria 0181. Tel.: 27(0)12 452 9155.
- Swiss Embassy - Swiss Embassy, 225 Veale Street, Parc Nouveau, New Muckleneuk 0181 (Pretoria). Tel.: 27(0)12 452 0660.
trips
- Cradle of Humankind. German cradle of humanity, Sites of hominin fossils, approx. 100 km.
- Hartbeespoort dam. Reservoir with opportunities for motor sports, mountain excursions, fishing, smaller zoos.
- Soutpansberg. Mountain hiking.
- Tsaing Crater. Meteor Crater.
- Bela-Bela. old name Warm bath, Spa with hot springs.
- Kruger Park, 400 km to the east.
- Drakensberg, 400 km to the south.
- Culinan mine. Active diamond mine.
- Suncity. Casino, Artificial Beach, Lost palacee.
- Pilanisberg. Wildlife park, camping, cabins.
- Dinokeng. Wildlife park, camping, cabins.
literature
Web links
- http://www.tshwane.gov.za/ - Official website of Pretoria
