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.
Accommodation in PietermaritzburgEach 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.
References and further reading
Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Year Published: 2019 - Page: 137Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 223
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 134
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 136
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 339
Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Year Published: 2014 - Page: 113
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 82
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 116
Things ewe never kn'ewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 174
Where to see Birds in KwaZulu-Natal - Author: Bennett and Herbert - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 27
Where to see Birds in Natal - Author: Gordon Bennett - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 15