Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of Free State Province and sits on a high plateau, where flat streets with low residential houses, office buildings and small shopping centers shape the city layout. Green spaces and tree-lined avenues spread between neighborhoods, while the center forms around the square where the Supreme Court of Appeal is located.

British troops founded a military post here in 1846 to control the region. The settlement later became the capital of the independent Orange Free State Republic, until the Boer War returned the area under British rule.

Families visit the botanical gardens or gather in parks along Naval Hill, where people often picnic and walk during weekends. In downtown streets, locals stop at small shops and food stalls, while older buildings now serve as offices, cafés or artist studios.

An airport connects the city to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, while local buses and taxis link different neighborhoods. Streets cover wide distances, so having a vehicle helps for longer trips.

Naval Hill offers a view over the city and holds a white horse memorial recalling the animals that died during the Boer War. Few visitors know that this hill also houses a nature reserve with zebras and antelope inside.

Location: Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality

Inception: 1846

Elevation above the sea: 1,395 m

Shares border with: Kroonstad

Website: http://bloemfontein.co.za

GPS coordinates: -29.11640,26.21550

Latest update: December 3, 2025 08:23