Travel guideHistorySightsNightlifeMap

Pietermaritzburg Travel Guide, South Africa

The city of Pietermaritzburg (also called as Maritzburg or PMB) is a hilly city surrounded by the midst of woods. But don’t count out this city. You’ll think you’ve been taken to the Victorian-era when you set foot in the city. Pietermaritzburg boasts of remarkable structures perfectly preserved from the Victorian era. Most of the structures were built with bricks. In fact, the city hall of Pietermaritzburg is the largest red-brick structure in the world. The current structure is the 1901 reconstruction of the 1893 building.

Pietermaritzburg was established by the Voortrekkers. The land was eventually taken over by the British in 1983 over a dispute of land. Aside from beautiful red-bricked structure, Pietermaritzburg is also a city with a high concentration of Asians particularly Indians. In 1884, the Britons sought assistance from Indians when they lacked manpower to improve the land in Pietermaritzburg. The work contract is usually for five years and most Indians have opted to stay in the city permanently. This is also the city where the great Mahatma Ghandi conceived the idea of fighting for his fellow Indians and the apartheid in general.

The city is often regarded as a stop between Johannesburg and Durban. But most people who opt to stay in Pietermaritzburg for a day or two would realize they would miss so much if they failed to stay here.

Aside from the red-bricked structure, Pietermaritzburg also boasts of remarkable natural surroundings. Most notably is the butterfly farm called Butterflies for Africa with a vast collection of butterflies of different species.

The Golden Horse Casino is also a well known casino in KwaZulu-Natal. Besides the fun and the jackpot price, Golden Horse Casino is known to have the biggest horse statue in the world. Standing at least 14-feet, the structure could easily overwhelm any tourist in Pietermaritzburg.

Transportation in Pietermaritzburg is very easy. There is a local airport that connects the city to major cities around South Africa. Busses and taxicabs will also take you to different places you prefer in no time.

Pietermaritzburg is regarded as the seat of legislature of KwaZulu Natal government. The city is also well known for its education especially the University of Natal. Established in 1910, it became the system of education which was emulated by other universities that were later established in the same city.

Pietermaritzburg may be a landlocked province but it’s a beautiful province with a lot of remarkable structures, natural beauty and first class education and entertainment in South Africa.