Bloemfontein, the capital city of the Free State Province in South Africa, is a charming, medium-sized city, that lives up to its name of 'Fountain of Flowers'. Thousands of pretty rose bushes line the streets, creating an amazing spectacle most of the year, especially in the springtime.
Nearby is the orchid house, another tribute to that beautiful name. Bloemfontein offers wonderful recreational, shopping and entertainment facilities.
A worthwhile visit would be to the Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens, the only botanical gardens in the Free State. It features 6 hectares of delightful walks and trails, a bird hide, nursery and tea garden. Bloemfontein is a great stopover point for journeys between Cape Town and Johannesburg and is the closest city to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The City's First Building
Bloemfontein has a wealth of diversions to occupy the traveller. If you hit it on a rugby Saturday, you may even want to experience the mayhem of a Cheetah’s game at Vodacom Park Stadium. If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, don’t miss the elegant neo-classical buildings dotted around the centre, especially the Fourth Raadsaal, city hall and the Court of Appeal, as well as the First Raadsaal on St Georges Street, which was the city’s first building (1849).
By Justin Fox
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