Location: Pietermaritzburg
Top Things to do in Pietermaritzburg
Top Restaurants in Pietermaritzburg
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7 Museums in Pietermaritzburg That You Shouldn't Miss
Pietermaritzburg (/ˌpiːtərˈmærɪtsbɜːrɡ/; Zulu: umGungundlovu) is the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838 and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its Zulu name umGungundlovu is the name used for the district municipality. Pietermaritzburg is popularly called Maritzburg in English and Zulu alike, and often informally abbreviated to PMB. It is a regionally important industrial hub, producing aluminium, timber and dairy products, as well as the main economic hub of Umgungundlovu District Municipality. The public sector is a major employer in the city due to the local, district and provincial governments being located here. It is home to many schools and tertiary education institutions, including a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It had a population of 228,549 in 1991; the current population is estimated at over 600,000 residents (including neighbouring townships) and has one of the largest populations of Indian South Africans in South Africa.
Restaurants in Pietermaritzburg
1. Tatham Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
The Tatham Art Gallery is one of the major art museums in South Africa. This art museum is funded by the Msunduzi Municipality and belongs to the residents of Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal. The Tatham Art Gallery serves the Msunduzi region through the Visual Arts. A major function of the Tatham Art Gallery, established in 1903, is to display art. This is accomplished through the hosting of a range of art exhibitions. These include travelling and researched exhibitions as well as exhibitions initiated by the Gallery, and based on art works in the permanent collection.
Reviewed By vasigie - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
When you enter the building, there's a warm welcoming atmosphere. The works of art are extremely beautiful and amazing. The sculptures are well made and makes you realize how well crafted they are. There is a coffee shop where you can sit and enjoy a meal, while taking a break. There's lots to see. You will truly enjoy your visit, just as I did. I've been to the Gallery about 4 times already.
2. KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
KwaZulu-Natal Museum is a popular tourist and educational amenity and acclaimed centre of scholarly research, offers thousands of visitors a feast of attractive, modern and user friendly displays. The KZN Museum is dedicated to increasing understanding of the history of mankind in south-eastern Africa and of the natural world, through the collection, study and display of real objects. The Museum opened its doors on 30 November 1904 and is now home to several of South Africa's most important heritage collections. The collections are of international renown, and feature regional archaeology, African cultural products, European settler history, seashells, insects and other forms of animal life. The KZN Museum is proud to be the custodian of one of the most important collections of Zulu craft objects. The largest national Museum in KwaZulu-Natal, this Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of objects of cultural and scientific value.
Reviewed By luc_victor_jr
Arguably one of the best museums in KZN, the Natal Museum is very well maintained, meticulously set-up and very educational. Its vast resource of information from natural to local history is bountiful, well researched and impeccably documented. The taxidermied animals are amazingly real and the dioramas are life-like. It also has adequate sociological and anthropological information that are sometimes lacking in some other museums. Although this museum is nowhere near the Durban CBD, the drive to Pietermaritzburg is well worth it. The only other issue when visiting the museum is parking where you may have to park down a few blocks and of course, no pictures or food allowed.
3. Comrades Marathon House
4. Macrorie House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
5. uMsunduzi Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 29 reviews
Cultural history museum, with displays celebrating the heritage of all the major cultural groups of KZN. The historical Voortrekker Complex was the original part of the museum, which celebrated its centenary in 2012. The museum also administers the Ncome Museum in Nqutu, northern KZN.
6. The Old Prison
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
The Old Prison dates back more than 150 years. Commissioned in 1862,the first cell block was recently declared a national monument,and refurbished as a'state of the art' museum. The prison has housed the famous and the infamous. It is rumoured (but not proven)that both Gandhi and Mandela were kept here,amongst others It was closed in 1989 due to overcrowding, and taken over by NGO Project Gateway.
