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The center of Bloemfontein contains a number of interesting historic buildings within a few blocks
of each other and easy walking distance. The addresses can be found here:
Historic Buildings Addresses.
Probably the oldest is the Old Raadsaal. This building dates back to 1849 and was originally built
as a school and then used as the Legislative Council.
Bloemfontein is also the home of South Africa's highest court, the Court of Appeal, located on the
corner of President Brand and Charles Streets. Just across the road from the Court of Appeal is
the statue of General Christiaan Rudolph De Wet who played an important role in the Anglo Boer
War of 1899 - 1902. Behind the statue is the historic Fourth Raadsaal building that dates back to
1893, and was built in the Classical Renaissance Style.
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There are a number of other historic buildings to be seen in the city center, such as the Old
Presidency which was the official residence of the old Free State Republics presidents. The
Supreme Court building is also quite impressive and was built in 1906.
The original "fountain" where Bloemfontein gets part of its name from, was a disappointment. It is
situated right in the middle of an overgrown concrete canal with just a pipe sticking out.
However, the historic buildings are well worth a visit.
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