Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, is a showcase of the country's tumultuous history. Since 2013, a giant sculpture of Nelson Mandela has dominated the main stairway in front of the Union Buildings.
Exploring South Africa's Pretoria —
Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, is a showcase of the country's tumultuous history. Since 2013, a giant sculpture of Nelson Mandela has dominated the main stairway in front of the Union Buildings.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The Union Buildings, the offices of South Africa's president, were designed by Herbert Baker in 1911.
Historic attractions in Pretoria —
The Union Buildings, the offices of South Africa's president, were designed by Herbert Baker in 1911.
John Malathronas/CNN
A 30-minute drive from Pretoria lies Dinokeng Game Reserve, where visitors can roam freely and explore various self-driving routes.
Dinokeng Game Reserve —
A 30-minute drive from Pretoria lies Dinokeng Game Reserve, where visitors can roam freely and explore various self-driving routes.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
Dinokeng is the only reserve in Gauteng Province housing the "big five" -- African elephant, black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, African lion and African leopard. It's also home to cheetah, brown hyena and giraffes.
Only Big 5 reserve —
Dinokeng is the only reserve in Gauteng Province housing the "big five" -- African elephant, black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, African lion and African leopard. It's also home to cheetah, brown hyena and giraffes.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
Pretoria is nicknamed the Jacaranda City as many of its streets are flanked with blossoming jacaranda trees between late September and November.
The Jacaranda City —
Pretoria is nicknamed the Jacaranda City as many of its streets are flanked with blossoming jacaranda trees between late September and November.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
Housed in Pretoria's old vegetable market, Market @ The Sheds is a venue that combines street food, design, music and art. It's usually held on the last Saturday of the month.
Market @ The Sheds —
Housed in Pretoria's old vegetable market, Market @ The Sheds is a venue that combines street food, design, music and art. It's usually held on the last Saturday of the month.
courtesy Capital Collective
The market is one of many projects by Capital Collective, a private initiative that aims to rejuvenate the city center. The team is now planning a walking and cycling route, and they host an annual international music festival, Fete de la Musique, each summer.
Rejuvenating Pretoria —
The market is one of many projects by Capital Collective, a private initiative that aims to rejuvenate the city center. The team is now planning a walking and cycling route, and they host an annual international music festival, Fete de la Musique, each summer.
courtesy Capital Collective
Inspired by one of Nelson Mandela's visions, Freedom Park and museum was built as an icon of humanity and freedom. It serves as a multi-purpose venue for events and celebrations.
Freedom Park —
Inspired by one of Nelson Mandela's visions, Freedom Park and museum was built as an icon of humanity and freedom. It serves as a multi-purpose venue for events and celebrations.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
The Freedom Museum is designed to preserve and retell the story of South Africa as well as the African continent in general. A guided tour is available to book online.
Freedom Museum —
The Freedom Museum is designed to preserve and retell the story of South Africa as well as the African continent in general. A guided tour is available to book online.
John Malathronas/CNN
Standing on a hilltop, Voortrekker Monument commemorates the Afrikaner farmers who left the British Cape colony and founded the two independent Boer republics.
Voortrekker monument —
Standing on a hilltop, Voortrekker Monument commemorates the Afrikaner farmers who left the British Cape colony and founded the two independent Boer republics.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
Voortrekker hill is a nature reserve, home to animals such as blesbok -- white-faced antelope.
Nature reserve —
Voortrekker hill is a nature reserve, home to animals such as blesbok -- white-faced antelope.
John Malathronas/CNN
A statue of Paul Kruger, a former South African president and military leader, can be found in Pretoria's Church Square.
Paul Kruger —
A statue of Paul Kruger, a former South African president and military leader, can be found in Pretoria's Church Square.
courtesy Tshwane Tourism Association
A sculpture of Danie Theron, an Afrikaner hero killed during the Boer War, stands at the entrance of Fort Schanskop, one of the four Pretoria forts that once guarded the city.
Pretoria Forts —
A sculpture of Danie Theron, an Afrikaner hero killed during the Boer War, stands at the entrance of Fort Schanskop, one of the four Pretoria forts that once guarded the city.
John Malathronas/CNN
After the trial of Oscar Pistorius, Gauteng High Court -- where the hearing took place -- has become a visitor hotspot in Pretoria.
Alternative attraction —
After the trial of Oscar Pistorius, Gauteng High Court -- where the hearing took place -- has become a visitor hotspot in Pretoria.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images