There’s so much more to Pretoria than the Voortrekker Monument! From a haunted castle to the biggest NG congregation in the country, to an enchanting golf course that has stood the test of time – these interesting historical landmarks all add to this city’s wonderfully unique flavour.
Erasmus Castle:
Known as “The Haunted House” among locals, this massive mansion is surrounded by mystery and talk about ghosts, supernatural encounters and paranormal activity (such as lit windows in this uninhabited building as well as moaning sounds at night). Although it is privately owned, public tours and cultural gatherings can be set up on arrangement. Over the years, exciting tales about this haunted property have made it a central focus for ghost hunters. Apart from that, there is a cave on the property, in which a whole slew of pre-colonial artifacts have been discovered – such as San artifacts from more than 150 000 years ago and turquoise beads dating back to the traders from ancient Phoenicia.
The Moreleta-congegation:
This congregation is the biggest Dutch Reformed Church and dates from 1985 when it started as a small community of 1 200 churchgoers. Today, more than 14 000 call it their spiritual home and over the years, many additions (such as a kindergarten and youth centre) were added to the facilities. What’s more, services in languages such as Tswana, Sotho and English have also been added, and due to the popularity of services and the growth of the congregation, multiple services are needed to cater for all congregants.
http://moreleta.org/
Wingate Park Country Club:
Beautiful old trees and a rich plant and birdlife are just some of the highlights of this pristine club that was established in 1947 – complete with a social picnic that was attended by 1 000 guests. Horse riding was introduced in 1948 and the golf course (ranked as one of the top 50 in the country) was opened in 1951. Other facilities include 6 tennis courts, bowling greens, cricket fields and a swimming pool. The very active road-running club is another popular feature here. The club offers a variety of specialised services, including executive 4-ball bookings, golf days, individual memberships, sponsorship packages, functions for up to 300 people, group membership packages and corporate membership packages. www.wingateparkcountryclub.co.za
