The Union Buildings are the seat of the South African presidency and the most photographed building in the country's administrative capital. Designed by the architect Herbert Baker and completed in 1913, the sandstone complex stands on Meintjieskop with two wings joined by a curved colonnade, a form often described as the two halves of a new nation, English and Afrikaans, brought together after the Union of South Africa in 1910. Below the building, ten terraced gardens descend in formal layers to a large amphitheatre, with memorials, lawns, fountains and clipped hedges. Visitors usually come to walk the gardens, to see the large bronze statue of Nelson Mandela with his arms outspread, and to look out over the city. It is a place of ceremony as well as sightseeing, which gives the visit a sense of occasion even when the lawns are quiet.
History runs through the site. Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president here in May 1994 before a crowd on the lawns, and the building has hosted state occasions ever since. The Mandela statue, unveiled on the lawns in 2013, is nine metres tall and has become the focal point for photographs.
Other monuments in the gardens commemorate soldiers who fell in earlier conflicts. The architecture is worth studying up close: honey-coloured stone, red-tiled roofs and a rhythm of pillars and arches that draws on classical and Cape traditions. Baker also worked on the planning of New Delhi, and some visitors notice the similarity of approach.
Access is simple but controlled. The gardens are generally open to the public, while the interior of the buildings is not open to tourists, so the visit is an outdoor one of roughly an hour, depending on how much of the terracing you walk. Security staff are on site, bags may be checked and photography near the entrance has rules, so follow instructions and keep to the paths.
Early morning is the quietest and the best for light on the sandstone, and the city view from the upper lawns is clearest before haze builds in the afternoon.
Because the site is free, it is easy to add to a larger day. Most Pretoria city tours stop here, usually with Church Square, the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park, and a guide adds useful context about who works in each wing. Independent visitors can reach it by car or rideshare from the centre in a few minutes. During the jacaranda season the avenues around Arcadia and Meintjieskop turn purple, which makes this one of the best times for photographs.
Planning note
The gardens are large and partly shaded only by young trees, so the walk from the lower terraces to the main building is better done early. Photographers should plan for the sun behind the buildings in the afternoon. If you only have time for one stop, the upper lawn near the Mandela statue gives you the building, the statue and the city view together.
What to expect
The experience
A walk through the terraced gardens and amphitheatre, with the Mandela statue and views over Pretoria. The interior is not open to tourists.
Best time
Early morning for light and quiet; jacaranda season for colour on the nearby avenues.
How long
About an hour.
Tips
Bring photo ID in case of security checks, keep to paths, and avoid carrying large bags.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the signature Pretoria photograph without spending money.
- Families
- The wide lawns and terraces suit children, though the climb up the steps is tiring in heat.
- Couples
- A relaxed stroll with city views, best at the start of the day.
- Pair with
- Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park and Church Square.
- Time needed
- One hour, or half a day with the other sights.
Good questions
Can I go inside the Union Buildings?+
The interior is not open to tourists, but the gardens and the Mandela statue can be visited.
Is there an entry fee?+
The gardens are free to enter in general, though check access conditions before you travel.
Who designed the building?+
Herbert Baker, who completed it in 1913.
Where is the Mandela statue?+
On the lawns below the main building, a nine-metre bronze with outstretched arms.
What else is nearby?+
Church Square, the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park are all within a short drive.
