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Top 10s Historical sites in the Free State
Historical Free State - downtown Philippolis.
© Chris Marais
1Vredefort Dome
The Vredefort Dome is a massive meteorite impact site, created when a giant meteorite hit the Earth around 200-million years ago.
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2Dinsoaur fossils of Clarens
The mountain village of Clarens in the eastern Free State is not only a quaint town in a beautiful setting - it is also a great location for those interested in fossils and palaeontology.
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3Bloemfontein's history and culture
The City of Roses - Bloemfontein - is the historical "heartland" capital of South Africa's Free State province. From Boer War monuments to historic art galleries, fascinating townships, indigenous cultural villages and even a museum dedicated to the game of rugby, Bloemfontein has it all.
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4Philippolis
Philippolis, founded in 1823, is the oldest town in the Free State. It has a rich history, having been home to Griqua leader Adam Kok and writer Sir Laurens van der Post, as well as the location of British welfare campaigner Emily Hobhouse's first weaving and spinning school.
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5Sandstone Estates, Ficksburg
Sandstone Estates in Ficksburg is a steam buff's dream, featuring a collection of locomotives that have been restored for the enjoyment of steam enthusiasts who come here from all over the world.
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6Free State goldfields
The Free State goldfields, with Welkom at their heart, is the throbbing mining centre of the province. Experience a goldfields tour and learn about the history of gold in South Africa.
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7Koffiefontein
The southern Free State town of Koffiefontein was once a rural stopover for transport riders. It later became a diamond boom town and a WWII prisoner-of-war detention centre. See artworks left behind by the Italian prisoners.
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8Fauresmith
If you like hardy horses and quirky towns, open skies and friendly people, then you should visit the historical town of Fauresmith.
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9Bethulie
Bethulie holds bittersweet memories of the South African War, but is also a great base from which to explore the villages and sights around the Gariep Dam.
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10Harrismith
If you want to tour the eastern Free State and parts of the Drakensberg, an ideal base for these adventures is Harrismith, on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg.
Precisely because of its location, Harrismith was a pivotal centre during the South African War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War). Held by the British, the town was also at the apex of a series of blockhouses initially built to defend the railway line.
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