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10 Gorgeous Public Buildings In South Africa

10 Gorgeous Public Buildings In South Africa

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South African public buildings can be quite stunning, many old ones retaining charming Dutch style from the time of Dutch colonialism, while the more modern structures reflect the calming natural landscape. Here are 10 gorgeous public buildings in South Africa.

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wikimedia.org

The Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is one of the oldest buildings in South Africa. Built by the Dutch East India Company in the mid to late 1600’s, this building is where you can still catch a classic changing of the guards every day at noon.

Source: Castleofgoodhope.co.za 

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wikipedia.org

City Hall

Sitting in Cape Town, this is the building where Nelson Mandela made his first public speech after being released from prison. It was built in the Edwardian style, which is less elaborate than Victorian architecture but comparable in shapes.

Source: Sa-venues.com

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wikimedia.org

The Nurul Islam Mosque

Situated in the colorful township of Cape Town called Bo-Kaap, this mosque was originally built in the mid 1800s but was renovated in 2001 and today can hold up to 700 people. Like the streets that surround it, it is a bright cheery color.

Source: Bokaap.co.za

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wikimedia.org

Old Standard Bank

This is the Old Standard Bank building in East London and is in fact a cultural heritage monument today. The Standard Bank was a British overseas bank operating in Africa from the late 1800s to the late 1900s.

Source: Standardbank.com

P.E._Public_Library
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Port Elizabeth Public Library

Built in the Victorian Gothic style, this building was originally used as a courthouse in the mid 1800s but since 1902 has served as the local public library. The front of the building was made in England and there is a marble statue of Queen Victoria in front of the library.

Source: Nmbt.co.za

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wikipedia.org

Parliament of South Africa

Located in Cape Town, the houses of Parliament sit on a corner of Company Gardens so the surroundings are green and gorgeous. Tourists can buy tickets to sit in during parliamentary sessions between January and June — but if they don’t want to buy a ticket, parliament members can often be spotted at coffee shops in the neighborhood.

Source: Sa-venues.com

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wikimedia.org

 

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Located in Port Elizabeth, this church was founded in the mid 1800s. In the late 1800s, a woman set the building to fire and the inside had to be redone but the church still maintains the Gothic exterior and stained glass windows.

Source: Holytrinitychurch.co.za

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wikipedia.org

The Paul Kruger Church

Located in the historic Church Square in Sandton, this church was built in honor of the president of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger. The church is surrounded by other important buildings like the Old Capitol Theatre and the Palace of Justice.

Source: Gauteng.net

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wikipedia.org

The Palace of Justice

This regal and impressive building sits at the front of Church Square and was most likely built in the nineteenth century. Like its neighboring structures, The Palace was built in a Dutch style. It is currently the headquarters of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa.

Source: Artefacts.co.za 

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wikipedia.org

Melrose House

The historic Melrose House in Pretoria has been a private mansion, a military headquarters, and finally today a museum. It is named for the famous Melrose Abbey monastery in Scotland.

Source: Tshwane.gov.za