- Address: Union Building Government Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
In the historical part of Pretoria , the Union Building is located - this is one of the main architectural and tourist attractions not only of the official capital of the South African Republic , but of the entire state.
Today there are several official institutions in this building:
- The Cabinet of Ministers;
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Residence of the President of South Africa.
It is also in the Union Building that the inaugurated President of the country solemnly takes office.
Inside there are many thematic rooms intended for various purposes:
- office;
- conference halls;
- libraries;
- economic and many others.
History of construction
After the birth and official creation of the South African Union, the new dominion kingdom also needed a new building for official authorities. At the same time, as planned by the government, the building was obliged to demonstrate not only the power of the created state, but also its unity.
The work on the project was entrusted to the famous architect from Great Britain, Herbert Baker, who already by that time made a special contribution to the formation of the unique architecture of the present South Africa .
For the construction of the Union Building, the architect chose the Arcadia region, not far from the city center, in which there was a small hill, and under it was a semi-circular quarry, which eventually affected the building's chosen form.
The erection of the house lasted almost four years and ended in 1913. At that time the building was the largest in the entire southern hemisphere of the planet:
- its height is 60 meters;
- and the total length - exceeds 280 meters!
For construction, high-quality limestone and a beautiful, durable and durable granite were used.
Features of the project
If we talk about the peculiarities of architecture, the British architect managed to connect in an amazing way in one building three directions at once:
- Edwardian era;
- neoclassicism;
- Italian revival.
The structure of the structure is two completely symmetrical bodies, diverging from the colonnade, built in the form of a semicircle. This structure of the colonnade according to the architect's intention was to symbolize the unity of all the peoples who participated in the creation and fell under the wing of the South African Union. Also on the edges of each building towers are built, whose height reaches 55 meters!
The main tower has a large clock - they are exactly copied from the legendary Big Ben.
For decoration inside the building:
- panels from a natural tree with a carving;
- massive furniture;
- heavy, wooden doors;
- The walls are painted white, and the ceiling - in dark colors.
Near the Union Building there is a beautiful park zone, descending amphitheatres from the hill to its foot.
Great importance in the history of South Africa
The building of the Union, which is in Pretoria, is important not only for South Africa, but for all the peoples of Africa. It was here that Nelson Mandela made his famous speech in 1994.
The Union Building is located at: Pretoria, Governament Road.
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