Pretoria City Hall 3.97

Pretoria City Hall is a large building in Pretoria city centre which was built in 1931 and inaugurated in 1935 in order to celebrate the city-status of Pretoria obtained in 1931. It is located on the Paul Kruger Street south of Church Square and across the street from the Transvaal Museum.HistoryIn 1926 a competition was held to design the future city hall of Pretoria and the winning design was by F.G. McIntosh. Due to the economic difficulties of the then South African Republic, construction of the City Hall started in 1931 and was completed in 1935.The Hall was completed in the Semi-Italian classical style and a George Heys, the former owner of Melrose House donated the 32 tower bells found in the hall today.Pretorius SquareThe Pretorius Square lies in front of the building including fountains and maintained gardens. Three statues of significant figures decorate the park; Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, the founder of Pretoria who named the city in honour of his father in 1855. Andries Pretorius, a Voortrekker leader who led the push to settle the North of the country and for who the city is named. Chief Tshwane, the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, under which Pretoria falls was named for this local Chieftain.