Raadsaal
Central, Tshwane (Pretoria),
Gauteng
Architect: DEPARTEMENT VAN PUBLIEKE WERKEN - ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK
Design Architect: Sytze Wopkes WIERDA
Contractor: John Johnston KIRKNESS
Restoration Architects 1991: HOLM JORDAAN HOLM
| RaadsaalCentral, Tshwane (Pretoria), Architect: DEPARTEMENT VAN PUBLIEKE WERKEN - ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK |
 View across the square from east |
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Coordinates: |
Notes: The Foundation Stone was laid in 1889 by President Kruger. All the doors and windows for this building were made in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, by Samuel Baikie & Company - owned by the father-in-law to John KIRKNESS, contractor to the project, - shipped from there to Durban, railed to Charleston, the rail terminus at that time, and transported by wagon to Pretoria. RAADZAAL, PRETORIA A massive and glorious pile of buildings, considered by some to be the most imposing structure in Africa. They were begun in 1889, and completed in 1891, at a cost of £175 000. The carving above the portico, of the Transvaal arms, in white stone, with the national motto, quoted above ("Union makes strength"), is a very fine piece of work; as is also the statue of Liberty, which crowns the edifice. The chambers for the first and second Volksraads are beautiful rooms, and the whole building is a credit to its architects. Ref: Photographs of South Africa Comprising Representative Views etc, The South African Photo-Publishing Company, Cape Town, 1894: Pg 145. (Submitted by William MARTINSON, December 2010) RAADZAAL, PRETORIA. – The chief architectural glory of Pretoria is the Raadzaal, or Government Buildings, which occupies one side of Church Square. This handsome and imposing structure has a frontage 175 feet [53.34m] wide, a depth of 220 feet [67.06m], and a height of 125 feet [38.1m] from the ground to the top of the figure of Liberty, which surmounts the entrance; it contains two Chambers for the Volksraad, the President's and all the Public Offices of the State. The first Volksraad Chamber, in which portraits of President Kruger, Commandant-General Joubert, and General Smit are placed, is a spacious hall 64 feet [19.51m] wide and 42 feet [12.8m] high; and the second chamber is 44 feet [13.41m] by 44 feet. On the ground floors there are fire-proof rooms, where the State archives and land registers are deposited. The buildings are erected from designs by Mr. WIERDA, the Government Architect, at a total cost of £138,000. (Anon, c. 1899. Picturesque South Africa - An album of Photographic Views. Cape Town: Dennis Edwards & Co. p 176.) |
References:
| Bakker, Karel A, Clarke, Nicholas J & Fisher, Roger C. 2014. Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens : A shared Dutch built heritage in South Africa. Pretoria: Visual Books. pg 43-46, 53, 75, 78, 80-81, 136, 164, 205, 207, 209, 211 |
| Dunston, Lola & Dunston, Tom. 1975. Young Pretoria 1889-1913. Pretoria: Dunston. pg various - see book index |
| Fisher, RC, Le Roux, SW & Maré, E. 1998. Architecture of the Transvaal. Pretoria: UNISA. pg 128, 175-196, 128, 175-196, 214, 215, 216 |
| Fisher, Roger & Clarke, Nicholas. 2014. Architectural Guide : South Africa. Berlin: DOM Publishers. pg 92 ill, 93-94 |
| Gaylard, Shaun & McDougall, Brett. 2022. RSA 365 : 365 Drawings of South African Architecture. Johannesburg: Blank Ink Design. pg 64, 64 ill |
| Greig, Doreen. 1971. A Guide to Architecture in South Africa. Cape Town: Howard Timmins. pg 53, 191-192 |
| Holm, Albrecht & Viljoen, Diedré. 1993. Mure wat praat : die verhaal van die ou Raadsaal en sy mense. Mellville: Chris van Rensburg. pg All |
| Labuschagne, Elize. 1981. The old Raadsaal, Church Square, Pretoria. Pretoria: Transvaal Provincial Museum Services. pg All |
| Le Roux, SW. 1990. Plekke en Geboue van Pretoria Volume 1. Pretoria: Pretoria Argitektuurvereniging. pg 77-78 |
| Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1977. Victorian Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: AA Balkema. pg 4, 273, 275 ill, 276-279, 290 |
| Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1989. Historical Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: Struikhof Publishers. pg 166, 167 ill |
| Swart, Johan & Proust, Alain. 2019. Hidden Pretoria. Cape Town: Struik Lifestyle. pg 48-55 |
 Oblique view of west facade  Northern section of west facade  Central section of west facade  Southern section of west facade  Facade detail  Facade detail  View across the square from north  View across the square from north  Main entrance  Worm's eye view  Pediment and dome  Pediment  Detail of pediment with coat of arms  Cupola and statue of Liberty  Plaque about furniture - English  Plaque about furniture - Afrikaans  Plaque commemorating the restoration 1987 10 23  Painting of Parliament in England  Detail of door handle  Reception hall  Main lobby  Stairs from main lobby  First floor lobby  First floor lobby  First floor lobby  Main Council Chamber  Main Council Chamber  Window ledge with head of Paul Kruger  Detail of Paul Kruger's head  Stair landing  Passage detail  Looking down at main Council Chamber  Looking up from main Council Chamber  Looking across main Council Chamber  Carved coat of arms  Stair detail  Looking up stairwell  Attic passage  Attic passage detail  Meteorological tower in inner court  Tower detail  Stairs to tower  Roof space in tower  Meteorological equipment in roof space  Meteorological equipment in cupola  Oriel window in cupola  Detail of dome structure  Detail of dome structure |
 4c Stamp - 1982 07 15 from Fourth Definitive Series First Day Cover Caption with stamp: Click for full cover  Post card C1903  Drawing 177 of 365 by Shaun Gaylard  Early postcard  Photo from The South African Photo-Publishing Company, 1894  View from Church Square Ref: Rex HM, 1974. Die lewe en werk van Sytes Wopkes Wierda in Nederland met verwysing na sy betekenis vir die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (The life and work of Sytes Wopkes Wierda in the Netherlands with reference to what he meant for the South African Republic). Pretoria. Unpublished PhD: 428 Photographer: Unidentified  Aerial view towards Church Square Ref: Rex HM, 1974. Die lewe en werk van Sytes Wopkes Wierda in Nederland met verwysing na sy betekenis vir die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (The life and work of Sytes Wopkes Wierda in the Netherlands with reference to what he meant for the South African Republic). Pretoria. Unpublished PhD: 363 Photographer: Unidentified  Front view From a photo. by SHORT Ref: Anon, c. 1899. Picturesque South Africa - An album of Photographic Views. Cape Town: Dennis Edwards & Co. p 176. Photographer: Scanned image |