Church Square (Pretoria)

The Church Square or Kerkplein is the historical center of the South African capital Pretoria. He is the intersection of the streets Paul Kruger Street and Church Street. Furthermore, the open roads Parliament, Palace and Mutual Street and Bank Lane in the square.

The course was in 1855, at the instigation of Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, the President of the Republic of South Africa as a market place and place for a church. Furthermore, the Church Square served as a sports field.

The first church was completed in 1857. However, this was burned down in 1882, so that from 1884 to 1885, the second Reformed Church was built. This was then demolished in 1904-1905.

In the middle of the square is located in a small park, the statue of Paul Kruger, which is lined by four statues of Boer soldiers. The work was commissioned by the 1896 Sammy Marks in order. Anton van Wouw was the sculptor. It was originally erected in Princes Park and was from 1925 before the main station. The South African Prime Minister Daniel François Malan finally unveiled on 10 October 1954 its present location.

Historically particularly significant building at Church Square are the Ou Raadsaal, the parliament building of the South African Republic and the province of Transvaal, and the Palace of Justice, where the Republic was proclaimed on 31 May 1961 by Charles Robberts Swart and 1963-1964 the Rivonia Trial occurred.