The Diaz cross standing on Market Square is a replica of the crosses planted by Bartholomeu Diaz on his exploration journey in 1488. Diaz was the first (known) European to set foot in what is today known as South Africa. He planted a cross in Mossel Bay, on St Croix Island just off Port Elizabeth and at his turning point at Kwaaihoek near Kenton-on-Sea. This replica was donated to the city of Port Elizabeth by the Portuguese government and the…
The Horse Memorial on the corner of Rink Street and Russel Road was erected in remembrance of the horses and mules that suffered and died during the Anglo Boer War which was fought between 1899 and 1902. Although the war didn't really play of in close proximity to the town, most of the British forces and their horses entered the country through Algoa Bay. The locals were very aware of the circumstances the horses were under on the ships as…
I had to pop down into the city centre this week and found this tree in front of the City Hall with all its bright red fruit, flowers, fruity flowers (sorry, but I don't really know if they were the tree's fruit or flowers). As I was walking past it and I found a very nice angle to include it in a picture of the historic City Hall. Never leave home without your camera.
The King George V Memorial can be found on Canon Hill overlooking the town of Uitenhage. It was erected to commemorating the coronation of King George V in 1910.
The Port Elizabeth Opera House was opened in 1892 and was proclaimed a national monument in 1980. It is the oldest functioning opera house in the country as well as the only remaining Victoria theatre in South Africa.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of a shoot for the SABC 2 Afrikaans magazine show Pasella today. Along with my colleague S, I got to take the the presenter, Vicky Davis, and the crew on a walkabout along some of the places on the Donkin Heritage Trail. Here we are standing at the Prester John monument across the road from the Feather Market Centre. The show will be broadcasted in the first week of September.
Today we are back home after our "trip" covering all the towns surrounding Port Elizabeth. So just to start off on the home front again, I am featuring one of Port Elizabeth's iconic landmarks. The Donkin Reserve. On the Donkin Reserve visitors will find the Donkin Lighthouse as well as the Donkin Memorial Pyramid. The story of the pyramid goes as follow: Sir Rufane Donkin married Elizabeth Frances Markham in 1815 and barely 2 months later was posted to India.…
The view accross Market Square in the city centre towards the Main Library.
The Public Library building next to Market Square was opened in 1902. The terracotta facade was manufactured in England and shipped to Algoa Bay in numbered pieces to be reassembled on site. The statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled in 1903 and is made of Sicilian marble.