The Union Buildings overlooking the City of PretoriaThe Union Buildings, also commonly known as 'Die Uniegebou' in Afrikaans, are home to the offices of the President of South Africa and form the official seat of the South African government. They are also the location of presidential inaugurations.
The striking buildings, designed by the famous Sir Herbert Baker, are situated on the corner of Leyds Street and Church Street in northern Arcadia in Pretoria, Gauteng, atop Meintjieskop and in close proximity to the historic Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park, and the famous Church Square. Now an iconic national monument in its own right, the Union Buildings are an immensely popular tourist attraction and are regarded as a symbol of democracy in South Africa.
The Union Buildings are perched atop the highest point in Pretoria and can thus be viewed from almost any point in the country's capital. The Union Buildings' gorgeous gardens, located between Government Avenue, Vermeulen Street East, Church Street, the R104, and Blackwood Street, are a tourist attraction in their own right and a popular spot for relaxing walks and picnics.
Completed in 1913 and considered to be Sir Herbert Baker’s crowning achievement, these magnificent semi-circular shaped buildings, 285m long and built from light sandstone, were designed in an English monumental/Renaissance style, with Cape Dutch and Edwardian detail. The clock chimes at the Union Buildings are identical to the ones at Big Ben in London, England. The dancing and smiling statue of Nelson Mandela, now situated in Sandton City’s Nelson Mandela Square, was originally commissioned for the Union Buildings and was intended to stand on the spot where Nelson Mandela gave his inaugural presidential speech.
Union Buildings Physical Address
Government Ave, Arcadia, Pretoria
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