Church Square

S 25 44.786 E 028 11.286

Church Square has marked the city center of Pretoria since 1855. In the center of the square is a large bronze statue of Paul Kruger that was cast in Italy around 1900, and displayed at various locations throughout the city until it was moved to its current location in 1954. Surrounding the square are a number of historically significant buildings. The Palace of Justice was the location of the 1963-64 Rivonia Trial in which leaders of the ANC, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Govan Mbeki, were tried and convicted of treason and consequently spent decades imprisoned at Robben Island. The Ou Raadsaal (old government building) is another architecturally impressive building that was erected by the Boer ZAR government in 1877 and has since served as the seat of various government bodies.

Tags: church square, government building, historical buildings, nelson mandela, paul kruger, Rivonia Trail, sights