Plizio Visual Lab
Union Buildings
The Union Buildings in Pretoria serve as the official seat of the South African government and house the offices of the President. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913, the structure is situated atop Meintjieskop hill, offering a commanding view of the city. Built from light-colored sandstone, the buildings stretch 285 meters in a grand semicircular shape, intended to symbolize the union of the previously divided colonies. Historically, the site gained global significance in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was inaugurated here as South Africa's first democratically elected president. The surrounding terraced gardens are a popular public space, featuring various memorials and a massive nine-meter bronze statue of Mandela. Currently, the Union Buildings stand as a powerful architectural landmark representing the country's transition to democracy and its commitment to national unity.
- Location: South Africa
- Top sights: Intiem Love Bridge · Bird Hide · Pretoria Visual Arts Soceity
- Nearby: Brits (45 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Rain mm | 115 | 75 | 66 | 38 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 48 | 79 | 112 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The building was constructed between 1910 and 1913 using 1.25 million cubic meters of stone.
- The two wings represent the English and Afrikaans linguistic communities of the nation.
- The total length of the neoclassical sandstone structure is approximately 285 meters.
- On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela's historic presidential inauguration took place here.
- A 9-meter tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled in the gardens in 2013.
- The site is located on Meintjieskop, providing a panoramic view over Pretoria.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Union Buildings (18)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
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