Pietermaritzburg City Hall

Pietermaritzburg City Hall is a Victorian-era municipal building with red brick facades, a 47-meter high bell tower, and stands as the largest brick structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The structure dominates Chief Albert Luthuli Street in the city center with its distinctive architecture and massive proportions.

The building was constructed between 1899 and 1901, replacing the previous town hall that was destroyed by fire in 1898. The Duke of Cornwall conducted the inauguration ceremony, marking an important moment in the city's history.

The building houses a large pipe organ and multiple stained glass windows that you can see during performances by the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Its spaces serve as venues for various artistic events and concerts throughout the year.

The building is located at Chief Albert Luthuli Street in central Pietermaritzburg and is open to visitors during regular business hours. Guided tours are available upon request and provide access to the interior rooms and the building's history.

In front of the building stands a naval gun from HMS Fawn that once fired daily at 1 p.m. to mark time for the city. Although this daily ritual no longer takes place, the gun remains a fascinating reminder of the city's colonial past.

Location: Pietermaritzburg

GPS coordinates: -29.60160,30.37958

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04