Ou Raadsaal - Tshwane

I had the privelege to attend the workshops around the enigmatic president of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republic, Paul Kruger, for the commemmoration of his 200th birthday on 10 October. He was very much the celeb of his time. The Kruger National Park was named after him and there was always speculation if he took the Kruger millions to Europe after his exile after the 1900's. A freedom loving staunch believer in his Bible, Kruger still epitomise leadership to many residents of Pretoria. The workshops were held in his seat of government, die Ou Raadsaal, on Church Square, Pretoria South Africa. Tour guides in Pretoria can arrange entrance and there are access during arranged tours of Church Square. Unusual architecture with art pieces from the 1800's and loveliest of lead glass features.

I visiting SA and tried to look inside of this beautiful building. Unfortunately people who seats inside have no idea about culture of treating foreign visitors. If white Americans treated this way I cannot imagine what happened to local SA folks. Very unpleasant and unprofessional.

We attended a meeting in the big hall up one storey: beautiful stately old room with lovely lead glass windows. The meeting was held by a group named Friends of the War Museum. An interesting talk was given by an informed speaker on the role women played during the Anglo Boer War. A conducted tour through various halls and rooms and offices was also undertaken. Very interesting

This is an incredible building full of history and architectural genius from the 1800’s. Amazing looking building that has stood the test of time he Ou Raadsaal was commissioned in the late 19th century by the South African Republic as the new seat of government in Pretoria, and was designed by Dutch architect Sytze Wierda in a Renaissance Revival style. The contract for construction was granted to John Johnstone Kirkness, a builder from the Orkney Islands with a prolific building career in the region, at a sum of £82,500. Construction began in February 1889 with the cornerstone laid by President Paul Kruger on 6 May that year, and the work was completed in December 1891.

The architect of the buildings is in point. It's just beautiful and peaceful to watch and soak in the beauty of the buildings and it's history. This place is history on its own.

The Ou Raadsaal (English: Old Council Hall) is a historic building in Pretoria, South Africa, located on the south side of Church Square. The Ou Raadsaal housed the Volksraad, the parliament of the South African Republic, from 1891 to 1902. The Ou Raadsaal was commissioned in the late 19th century by the South African Republic as the new seat of government in Pretoria, and was designed by Dutch architect Sytze Wierda in a Renaissance Revival style. The contract for construction was granted to John Johnstone Kirkness, a builder from the Orkney Islands with a prolific building career in the region, at a sum of £82,500. Construction began in February 1889 with the cornerstone laid by President Paul Kruger on 6 May that year, and the work was completed in December 1891. The Transvaal Museum was established in 1892 in the upper floor of Ou Raadsaal, but was soon moved to a separate location when the room was deemed too small for the collection. In 1902, the South African Republic was annexed by the United Kingdom after its defeat in the Second Boer War, abolishing the Volksraad, and the Ou Raadsaal became vacant. In 1999, the Ou Raadsaal was declared a Provincial Heritage Site and is protected in terms of Section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999), as it is over 60 years old. The building is also known in English as the Old Council Chamber or Old Government Building, and in Afrikaans as the Republikeinse Raadsaal.

Such a beautiful historic building where history comes alive.

The history of this place is very interesting. It was also very nice and clean when we visited.