In 1855, Pretoria was founded by Marthinus Pretorius, a Voortrekker leader. His intention was to name it after his father, Andries, who was instrumental in the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus in the monumental Battle of Blood River.
Today the area has been renamed the City of Tshwane, but the CBD still keeps the name of Pretoria. Pretoria continues as the administrative capital of South Africa.
The first stop is the impressive Voortrekker Monument and then the Scanskop fort. From there we pass Paul Kruger House Museum. From the museum we proceed to Church Square to explain the history on the old buildings and statues etc. Church Square was home to the first church built in Pretoria, which burnt down in 1882. The square marks what used to be the centre of Pretoria and is now home to many historically significant buildings, like the Ou Raadsaal (council chamber) and the Palace of Justice. The square is perhaps most famous for the large bronze statue of Paul Kruger, former State President, which stands in its centre.
Then we visit the Union Buildings which gives the visitor a spectacular view of the city. Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" because of the over 50 000 Jacaranda trees that lines her streets and carpet the city in purple in October. The first Jacaranda trees were imported from Rio de Janeiro in 1888 by a Pretoria resident.
