If you Know more about South Africa, you will probably know the City Hall is one of the the top tourist attractions in Durban. Although humans have lived in the area that is now known as Durban for tens of thousands of years, it was not until Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama ‘found’ it in 1497 that it was truly put on the map, both literally and metaphorically. In 1824, British colonisers claimed the land that is now known as Farewell Square, which gave birth to the city.
The City Hall is in the heart of many of Durban’s cultural and historical attractions due to its strategic location. Even the locals are enthralled by the vibe that surrounds it, which is lively, inviting, and extremely attractive. In this piece, Mrpocu.com has put together a guide to help you know more about Durban City Hall.
History Of Durban City Hall
It became a formal town in 1835, and was given the name Durban after the governor of the Cape Colony at the time, Sir Benjamin d’Urban. Durban is a must-see for visitors from all over the world, thanks to its ancient and colonial heritage, as well as the cultures that have merged to make one of South Africa’s busiest and most diverse cities.
Durban City Hall is an important aspect of preserving this history and understanding the depth and breadth of today’s South Africa. When the previous building (which was later converted to the main post office) became too small to handle the growing Durban society and city centre, the City Hall was constructed in 1910.
Who Built The Durban City Hall?
The City Hall was built by architect Stanley Hudson and features a Neo-Baroque style that is powerful and dramatic. It is overblown and exudes grandeur as it towers over the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit each year to marvel at its size and magnificence.
What Is The Purpose Of Durban City Hall
The City Hall’s exterior is adorned with sculptures that reflect various aspects of modern South Africa, including as art, music, literature, and industry. As a result, the City Hall is more than just a relic of past architecture. It’s also about giving useful materials and a fascinating context to current inhabitants and international tourists.
Other notable and interesting items can be found within the walls of the Durban City Hall. The Durban Art Gallery (showcasing a number of African items as well as those with a strong European influence), Natural Science Museum (which houses a dodo skeleton and a real Egyptian mummy), and a public library are among them.
Durban City Hall Location
The City Hall is directly across the street from the flea market and the Royal Hotel. The Durban Playhouse and Prince’s Theatre are also nearby, providing excellent opportunity to experience both modern and traditional African culture. Visitors are also invited to combine their visit to City Hall with a stroll through the Durban Post Office, Medwood Gardens (a tranquil area in the middle of the city), and the Old Durban Railway Station, which dates from 1892 and exudes a beautiful Victorian feel. The King Shaka International Airport is conveniently located just north of the city centre.
Adress
Durban City Hall, Anton Lembede Street, Durban Central, Durban, 4000, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Top Accommodations Near Durban City Hall
The Royal Hotel by Coastlands Hotels & Resorts
Located in Durban’s CBD and 15 minutes’ walk from the beach, Royal Hotel features 2 restaurants serving award-winning cuisine. Rooms have panoramic views of the city or the yacht harbor.
The stylish guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV. Each features a mini-bar fridge, which can be stocked on request, along with tea-and-coffee-making facilities and hairdryers. Bathrooms include bathtubs and showers.
The hotel’s flagship restaurant, the Royal Grill, offers dining in an elegant environment for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where the Coffee Shoppe offers lighter meals.
The beach is a 6-minute stroll from this apartment. The Onomo Hotel Durban is 400 metres from the coast and within walking distance of the Durban International Convention Centre and Marine Parade. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a front desk that is open 24 hours a day. There is no charge for parking.
The Onomo Hotel’s contemporary rooms feature air conditioning, a shower, and a flat-screen satellite TV. There’s also a work desk, a laptop safe, and double-glazed windows in the rooms. There is free WiFi accessible.
Breakfast is served daily and includes continental, buffet, and full English/Irish selections. The fitness centre is open to guests, and they can work out or relax on the patio. Meeting rooms are available, as well as luggage storage, laundry, and ironing services. Transfers to and from the airport can be arranged.
Durban Manor Hotel and Conference Centre
This hotel has spacious, air-conditioned rooms with private balconies that overlook Durban Bay and the yacht harbour. The hotel lies on Margaret Mncadi Avenue in Durban, close to the city centre.
The rooms at Durban Manor Hotel and Conference Center provide an LCD TV and tea/coffee making facilities, as well as views of the distant bay and free WiFi. Wooden floors can be found in some of the rooms.
The Durban Manor Hotel also has a breakfast restaurant and a quiet garden where guests can dine al fresco. A 10-minute walk will take you to several local and international restaurants.