Pietermaritzburg

Afrikaans name: Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg

Photo © Steven Herbert

KwaZulu-Natal

Pietermaritzburg was founded in 1838. Its name is a composite of two famous Voortrekker leaders Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz.

There are many buildings of interest in Pietermaritzburg including the Voortrekker Museum, the old Supreme Court, the Natal Museum and many more.

The Pietermaritzburg city hall is possibly the biggest all-brick building in the southern hemisphere.

Each year the Royal Agricultural Show is held. This show draws many visitors from around KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. Besides the agricultural displays there are many other exhibits, funfair and live shows.

The Comrades Marathon is run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban each year. The direction of the race tends to be alternated with Pietermaritzburg serving as either the starting point or the end point.

The Botanic Gardens, which are around 44 ha in extent, are also well worth a visit. They were established in the 1870's.

Why did you visit Pietermaritzburg? Would you recommend a stay here?

References and further reading

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 137

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 223

Getaway - Vol 29 No 02 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 115

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 180

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 134

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 241

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 136

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 339

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 113

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 82

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 119

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 116

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 174

Where to see Birds in KwaZulu-Natal - Author: Bennett and Herbert - Published: 1995 - Page: 27

Where to see Birds in Natal - Author: Gordon Bennett - Published: 1989 - Page: 15

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