Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker Monument is a monument that stands in the city of Pretoria in South Africa. The massive granite building was erected in honor of the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony in their thousands 1835-1854 to colonize other areas of South Africa today. The building was designed by the architect Gerard Moerdijk. The Battle of the Nations Monument in Leipzig should have served the architect as a template.

History

The idea to build a monument in honor of the Voortrekkers, was publicly during his lifetime by President Paul Kruger, however, until 1931 formed an initiative that wanted to realize this idea.

The construction of the monument began on 13 July 1937. On December 16, the foundation stone was laid by three offspring known deceased Voortrekkerführer. The monument was opened on 16 December 1949. The total cost of construction amounted to about £ 360,000, of which a large part was supported by the South African government. An approximately 20,000 people comprehensive amphitheater was built in the northeast of the monument.

The construction

The building is 41 meters high and stands on a 40 x 40 -meter base. On a hill six kilometers standing in front of Pretoria, it stands above its surroundings and is visible from afar. Three of the four corners of the building are occupied by granite figures of Andries Pretorius Voortrekkerführer, Hendrik Potgieter and Piet Retief, the fourth of a symbolic nameless Voortrekkerführer. The 25 x 25 -foot heroes hall is committing via exterior stairs. It is crowned by a 41 meter high dome. The floor is covered in wavy arranged marble slabs. In the hall the history of the Great Trek is shown on 27 marble friezes. In the center of the hall is a circular opening that provides a view on the underlying, 34.5 x 34.5 meters wide, called Kenotaphhalle with a symbolic sarcophagus. At the annual anniversary of the Battle of Blood River around 12:00 clock seems noon the sun through an opening of the Cathedral of the Hero's Hall on the inscription of the sarcophagus: " Ons vir jou Suid - Afrika" ( Afrikaans, German: "We for you, South Africa ").

Surrounded by a wall, is the monument, are mapped to the 64 stone ox carts. These symbolize a fortress, they are with their cars built by the Voortrekkers in the defense case.

Others

On the grounds of the Voortrekker Monument is located ( on the common entrance accessible ) Fort Schanskop - one of the three preserved forts of the city of Pretoria. Today it is a museum.