Church Square, Pretoria, Square in Pretoria, South Africa
Church Square, also known as Kerkplein, is the central square of Pretoria, South Africa. It is surrounded by several old buildings, including the Palace of Justice and the Ou Raadsaal, and at its center stands a statue of Paul Kruger with four Boer soldiers on a lower level.
The square was laid out in 1855 as a market and church yard. It was named for the churches that stood at its center until the early 1900s, and the current Kruger statue was placed there in 1954.
The square is a meeting point for locals and a starting point for exploring the city. The statue of Paul Kruger is a focal point, and the surrounding buildings house government offices and cultural institutions.
The square is easy to explore on foot, with wide walkways and benches for resting. It is centrally located, so you can combine a visit with nearby landmarks such as the State Theatre and City Hall.
The Palace of Justice on the square was the setting for the Rivonia Trial, where Nelson Mandela was sentenced. Few visitors realize that the square once had a fountain that was later moved to the Pretoria Zoo.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,561 contributors worldwide.
