Free State, South Africa · ZA

Bloemfontein

The City of Roses, South Africa's judicial capital

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History & Heritage

From Frontier Fort to Judicial Capital

Bloemfontein was established in 1846 as a British military fort by Major Henry Douglas Warden. The city became capital of the Orange Free State Republic from 1854, developing public buildings and infrastructure; J.R.R. Tolkien was born here on 3 January 1892.

The 1899 Bloemfontein Conference attempted to avert war between Britain and the South African Republic and failed; in the Second Boer War that followed, the British captured the city on 13 March 1900. The National Women's Monument, commemorating Boer civilians who died in concentration camps, was unveiled in 1913.

In 1910, as a compromise in the Union of South Africa's capital arrangements, Bloemfontein became the country's judicial capital, hosting the Supreme Court of Appeal. On 8 January 1912, the South African Native National Congress — precursor to the ANC — was founded at the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein.

Today Bloemfontein is the capital of Free State province, nicknamed the 'City of Roses' for its rose gardens and annual Rose Festival.

Key Historical Places

Places of Significance

National Women's Memorial

Commemorates the Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War; built 1913.

Boer War Monument

↑ Combine both the memorial and its adjoining museum in one visit.

Waaihoek Wesleyan Church

The church where the SANNC, forerunner of the ANC, was founded on 8 January 1912.

ANC History Heritage

↑ A quiet, historically significant precinct — go with local context in mind.

National Museum Bloemfontein

Established 1877, holding the Florisbad skull among archaeology, palaeontology and cultural-history collections.

Museum Archaeology

↑ Open Monday to Saturday — check hours before visiting.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum

A national art museum showing contemporary South African art, with free entry and an on-site restaurant.

Art Free Entry

↑ Pair a gallery visit with lunch at the on-site restaurant.

Naval Hill & Franklin Game Reserve

A free-entry nature reserve inside the city itself, with game viewing and panoramic views over Bloemfontein.

Urban Game Reserve Free Entry

↑ Sunset is the best time for the view over the city.

Timeline

1846
Bloemfontein founded as a British military fort
1854
Becomes capital of the Orange Free State Republic
1892
J.R.R. Tolkien born in Bloemfontein, 3 January
1899
Bloemfontein Conference fails to avert the Second Boer War
1900
British forces capture Bloemfontein, 13 March
1910
Bloemfontein named the Union's judicial capital
1912
SANNC founded at Waaihoek Wesleyan Church, 8 January
1913
National Women's Monument unveiled

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