Natural and cultural gems in the City of Roses
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We continue our feature on things to see and do in and around World Cup host cities with a look at Bloemfontein, a much under-rated cultural hotspot in South Africa.
The Franklin Game Reserve is the only nature reserve in the world to be found in the middle of a city. At 250 hectares it takes up a fair deal of space and includes a host of indigenous wildlife, including giraffe, zebra and springbok. Entrance to the reserve is free.
Naval Hill is a proud flat-topped hill within the game reserve and was, for a period of time during the Anglo-Boer War, held by the British. It was during this time that the famous White Horse was built on the hill. In 1928, the Lamont-Hussey Observatory was opened under the ownership of the University of Michigan, but it was closed in 1974 and later became the Observatory Theatre.
Boyden Observatory has an interesting history. Originally built in Lima, Peru by Harvard University, it was moved to Bloemfontein to take advantage of the region’s atmospheric stability and consistently good weather. Currently, the observatory is run by the University of the Free State, which carries on its purpose as a professional astrophysics research station.
The observatory is home to the third largest optical telescope in South Africa: the 60-inch (1.5m) UFS-Boyden Rockefeller reflector. In addition to astronomical research, the observatory has a Science Education Centre and an Educational Assistant Programme run jointly by the University of the Free State, Friends of Boyden and the Bloemfontein Centre of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa.
It is one of the most publically accessible observatories in the country and is available for school outings, telescope observations and presentations such as human and robotic spaceflight and planetary exploration.
The Oliewenhuis Art Museum, aligned to Bloemfontein’s National Museum, aims to introduce South African artists to a diverse audience. The museum is continually expanding as more artists, contemporary and otherwise, come to the fore. It also boasts a series of projects, such as the African Carousel Project, which features 16 original sculptures and a Sculpture Park, which features 17 sculptures by South African artists.
In addition to bringing art to the attention of South African society, the museum publishes information related to its art works and helps art lovers with important purchasing advice.
The Free State National Botanical Garden is nestled between dolerite koppies, or hills, and showcases indigenous vegetation from the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho, including wild olive, false olive, cabbage and karee trees as well as white stinkwood. In addition to the 400-odd plant species in the garden, visitors can also see over 120 bird species, 50 mammal and over 50 reptile species.
Pathways enable visitors to stroll through the garden and enjoy the colourful lion’s ear, red-hot poker and dwarf coral trees as well as spectacular views over rocky outcrops, a dam built by British soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War and landscaped lawns. Sunset parks, moonlight walks and talks are often held during the summer months, although the sunny winters make the garden a prime destination all year round.
The Anglo-Boer War Museum is dedicated to the war between the Afrikaners and the British between 1899 and 1902 and which shaped South Africa’s political landscape. Exhibits range from art collections to scenes and artefacts from the concentration and POW camps. Famous exhibits include the CF Beyers Hall, which brings the tragedy of the concentration camps to life. The JH de la Rey Hall showcases the domestic lives of Boers during peace and war, while the Kestell and Hobhouse galleries feature sculptures by famous artists of the era.
The Women’s Memorial is located on the grounds of the Anglo-Boer War Museum. The monument is a graphic reminder of the strength of women and the pain endured during the war. It’s dedicated to the 27 000 Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps and is a Free State Provincial heritage Site.
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