Walking Tour of Makhanda: Architectural and cultural history
Friday, 6th September 2024
Discover the rich architectural and cultural history of Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) through this self-guided walking tour. From historical military structures to cultural museums, this journey offers a glimpse into the city's fascinating past. Take a leisurely stroll through the city’s streets and enjoy the heritage preserved in its buildings and monuments.
1. Drostdy Gateway
Start your tour at the Drostdy Gateway, located at the top of High Street. This historic entrance once led to a military parade ground. The wooden posts at the gateway’s entrance were designed to protect the structure from damage by the protruding “timbers” of gun carriages—a reminder of Makhanda’s colonial military past.
2. Natural Science Museum (Somerset Street)
Head to Somerset Street for a visit to the Natural Science Museum. This museum explores the relationship between humans and the environment, featuring a reconstruction of South Africa’s first dinosaur, an Egyptian mummy, and the Hall of Birds and Mammals.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 – 16h00
Entrance fee: Adults: R20, Children: R10 (Free for children in school uniform)
3. History Museum (Somerset Street)
Continue down Somerset Street to the History Museum, which provides a window into the cultural heritage of the Eastern Cape. Discover intricate beadwork, traditional Xhosa dress, and 1820 Settler history alongside regularly updated art exhibitions.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 – 16h00
Entrance fee: Adults: R20, Children: R10 (Free for children in school uniform)
4. Observatory Museum (Bathurst Street)
Next, head over to Bathurst Street to the charming Observatory Museum, home to the only genuine Victorian camera obscura in the Southern Hemisphere. The Meridian Room also offers insight into how local noon was once measured.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 – 16h00
Entrance fee: Adults: R20, Children: R10 (Free for children in school uniform)
5. Amazwi South African Museum of Literature (25A Worcester Street)
For a literary detour, visit the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. It houses an impressive collection of works from South African writers, including press clippings, photographs, interviews, and biographical information.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 – 13h00, 14h00 – 16h30 (Closed weekends and public holidays)
Entrance fee: Free
6. SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (Somerset Street)
Dive into the world of aquatic life at the SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, best known for housing the famous coelacanth, thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered. A fascinating display of fish species awaits.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08h00 – 17h00 (Closed weekends and public holidays)
Entrance fee: Free
7. Provost Prison (Lucas Avenue)
Take a step back in time at the Provost Prison, built in 1835 based on the Panopticon system for constant surveillance. While there are no formal exhibits, the building now houses a cozy coffee shop, La Café, perfect for a break.
Coffee Shop Hours: Monday to Saturday, 09h00 – 17h00; Sunday: 08h00 – 14h00
8. Fort Selwyn (Gunfire Hill)
For those interested in military history, Fort Selwyn offers a glimpse into life on the Frontier. Built in 1836, this fort commemorates Captain Jasper Selwyn. Visits are by appointment only.
Contact: 046 622 2312
9. Artificer’s Square (Cross and Bartholomew Streets)
Stroll through Artificer’s Square, the city’s old artisan quarter. Many of the original houses, now national monuments, reflect 1820 Settler architectural styles, and the cobbled gutters and wagon stones remain intact, offering a glimpse into colonial life.
10. Commemoration Church (High Street)
Visit the Commemoration Church, which seats 1,200 people and features ten stained-glass memorial windows. The church’s foundation stone was laid on 10 April 1845, marking the arrival of the first British Settlers.
11. Cathedral of St. Michael & St. George (Church Square)
Marvel at the Cathedral of St. Michael & St. George, whose belfry houses the continent’s first full ring of eight bells. Construction began in 1824 and was completed 128 years later in 1952.
12. Rhodes University
Walk through the historic grounds of Rhodes University, established in 1904. Visitors can explore the university’s beautiful campus and buildings by appointment.
Contact: 046 603 8111
13. City Hall and Settler Memorial Tower (High Street)
At the City Hall, see the memorial plaque commemorating Dick King’s heroic 600-mile ride in 1842. The Settler Memorial Tower, built in 1882, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the British Settlers’ arrival.
14. Winged Figure of Peace (High Street).
Pause at the Winged Figure of Peace, a poignant memorial to the soldiers from Albany who lost their lives in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. The site, chosen for its central location as one which was “in the midst of our daily work and so would serve as perpetual remembrance of the dead and be an inspiration for peace”.
15. 1820 Settlers National Monument
Drive up to the 1820 Settlers National Monument on Gunfire Hill, which was built to commemorate the British Settlers in South Africa and was officially opened in July 1974. It serves all South Africans irrespective of race or creed, and contains a large theatre and many conference facilities. From the upper floors there are panoramic views of Grahamstown and the beautiful Belmont Valley beyond. On a clear day, the mountains of the Winterberg and Amatola escarpment to the north are visible. The Monument is home to the Grahamstown Foundation, the organisers of the annual National Arts Festival. Hours: Mon – Thurs 08h00 – 16h30, Fri 08h00 – 16h00. Tel 046 603 1100.
16. Oldest Official Letter Box in South Africa
Visit the Oldest Official Letter Box in South Africa, at the north-west end of Worcester Street, where it intersects with Somerset Street. Though not the oldest letter box known, the Grahamstown “oldie” might rank among the top twenty of the world’s traditional “fluted red box” survivors.
17. Grocott's Mail
Look for the yellow painted canary in the scrolls at the base of the right – hand turret on the Muirhead&Gowie Building (Clicks building) on Church square. This building was Grahamstown’s most elegant shop in its heyday- during the last century imported ball gowns were displayed in a candlelit room to show their colours by night, and the best bonnet-maker in the entire Cape Colony presented regular seasonal collections. Next door is the Grocotts's Mail building where the oldest family-owned newspaper in South Africa was printed. The newspaper is currently printed now digitally as a student learning platform and community newspaper. For more information visit: community@grocotts.ru.ac.za.
18. South African Library For The Blind
Further up High Street is The South African Library For The Blind in High Street serves the entire country and was founded by Miss Josie Wood in 1918. Tours of the library by appointment. Tel 046 622 7226.
19. International Library of African Music (ILAM)
The International Library of African Music (ILAM) Prince Alfred Street (follow ILAM signs from gate opposite RU Theatre) ILAM is a research, publishing and teaching centre for traditional African music and houses collection of more than two hundred traditional African musical instruments. Hours: By appointment. Tel (046) 603 8557.
20. Egazini Memorial
Visit the Egazini Memorial in Fingo Village – one of the first township-based heritage sites in South Africa. The Memorial marks the event of the Battle of Grahamstown which took place in 1819.
21. Makana Botanical Garden
The Makana Botanical Garden adjoining Rhodes University are worth a visit. A one-hour walk can produce a list of 30 different species of birds! The main gate is situated soon after you pass Eden Grove in Lucas Avenue. The Botanical Gardens were found in 1853 by Deed of Grant on the slopes of Gunfire Hill. It was the second botanical garden to be established in the Cape Colony, the first being in Cape Town in April 1849. According to the Story of Settlement published in Grahamstown in 1884, the Botanical Garden was originally laid out as a garden for the Lieutenant-Governor or Officer commanding the garrison residing at Government House close by. A second, larger grant of land was made by Cathcart to the Botanic Garden Committee in 1854.
22. Astronomical Toposcope
Visit the Toposcope on Mountain Drive which shows directions and distances to other places in the country, paying particular attention to historical sites within Makana area. The Astronomical Toposcope on Gunfire Hill in front of the 1820 Settlers National Monument buildings shows the cardinal points and positions for the rising of certain important Southern hemisphere constellations.
