Historic

National monuments and memorials

South Africa's national monuments and memorials are a window in to our past, illuminating who we are and the people and events that have shaped our history. more
Pinnacle Point Caves, Mossel Bay

The Pinnacle Point Caves in Mossel Bay are historically important, but are also sites that can inform scientists on the effects of global warming. more
West Coast Fossil Park, Western Cape

The West Coast Fossil Park has a rich fossil deposit dating back about 5 million years ago. Here, 150 km north of Cape Town, strange beasts once walked. more
The outlaw, Scotty Smith

A true Kalahari character, the Victorian-era legend of the vagabond Scotty Smith is still told throughout the semi-desert rural areas of the Northern Cape. more

More about Historic

Port Nolloth

From its days as a copper port to its current life as a diamond-and-fishing centre, Port Nolloth has always projected an image of romance and adventure. more

The Rand Club, Johannesburg

The prestigious Rand Club, born in the gold rush heyday, still retains its proud reputation. more

James Hall Museum of Transport, Johannesburg

At Johannesburg’s James Hall Transport Museum you will discover over 100 years of land transport vehicles, from ox-wagons and horse-drawn trams to steam trains and buses. more

Historical sites in the North West

1Vredefort Dome

The location of a meteor impact some 2-million-years ago, the Vredefort Dome is a World Heritage Site that attracts visitors who enjoy hiking, history and outdoor adventure.

2Taung

A satellite location of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, Taung gained international fame when the Taung Skull, said to be a crucial link in tracing the development of man, was found there in 1924.

3Mafikeng Museum

Exhibitions at the museum focus on the famous Siege of Mafikeng and the history and culture of the area, as well as one of the North West's most famous residents - Sol Plaatje. The Mafikeng cemetery is also worth a visit.

4Boekenhoutfontein Farm

From 1862 – 1903 the farm was the property of State President Paul Kruger and is now a historical landmark in the province.

5Historic dwellings, Potchefstroom

There are some fine examples of late-Victorian/early Edwardian homes in Potchefstroom, some of which date back to the early 1900s. The Dutch Reformed Church is another major architectural highlight.

6Groot Marico

Discover a town frozen in time, where mampoer (peach brandy) is brewed by locals, tobacco fields bake in the sun, a manual telephone exchange still operates, one of the country's most famous authors is celebrated annually and nearby dolomite caves share their fossil secrets.

7Tswaing Crater

Formed by a meteorite impact some 220 000 years ago, the Tswaing Crater its visitor centre includes a museum, exhibition space and educational centre.

8The Lost City of Mogale

Visit the ancestral home of Chief Mogale (1810 - 1869) and his Ba-Po people. Here the remains of Tswana/Sotho and Ndebele Iron Age settlements may be seen. Other interesting objets d'art include a granite fault, ceremonial cairns and monoliths.

9The Klerksdorp Museum

Housed in a former prison, the Kerksdorp Museum's sandstone building dates back to the 1880s and houses exhibitions that deal with social history and heritage of this far-flung corner of South Africa.

10Schweizer-Reneke

The town of Schweizer-Reneke is home to the first Dutch Reformed Church to be built in the former Transvaal Republic. It is also famous for Bushman paintings that date back 20 000 years which lie 2km from the town centre. You'll also find a Voortrekker Monument erected in 1938, a World War 2 memorial library and a republic monument.