Voortrekkers Monument in Pretoria

On this occasion we will stop at a monument to be located in the area southwest of the town and recalls the victory of the battle of the Boers on Zulu in the Blood River in the year 1838. This is the Voortrekkers Monument.

This memorial building that dates from 1949 bears the signature of the architect Gerard Moerdijk and consists of a huge block of granite from 40 metres high that rises above a square base of equal size on each side. This important symbol Pretoria account in its interior with interesting reliefs representing "The Great Migration" which refers to the journey made by Boer families of the interior in order to establish their own nation and reject British rule in the Cape.

Inside the building highlighted two important places: the frieze and the cenotaph. The first one is more precisely in the Hall of Heroes and is a large marble frieze that measured about 92 meters long and 2.3 meters tall weighing around 180 tonnes, making it the world's largest. It also appreciate other bas-reliefs showing the way of life, work and beliefs of the voortrekkers.

Instead, the cenotaph stands out because upon expiry of the anniversary of the victory of the Battle of Blood River, to be exact on December 16 at 12 noon, a ray of sun penetrates through an opening which exists in the dome thus illuminating the cenotaph where they are engraved the words "Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika" which means "We for you, South Africa."

This magnificent monument, which honors the courage and bravery of the Boers, is part of an extraordinary nature reserve vegetation suitable for biking and hiking and also to occupy a privileged place on a hilltop provides great views of the city .