Map of Kimberley
Kimberley, "The Diamond Capital of the World", is the largest and most modern city of the Northern Cape. There is so much to see and do in this fascinating diamond mining town.
Lacking the furious pace of South Africa’s larger metropolitan giants, the Victorian grandeur of the stately buildings complement the modern buildings towering over them.
The diamond rush of 1871 resulted in the world’s largest tent and shack "New Rush" frontier town forming. As miners arrived in their thousands, a digger camp arose from the dust. In 1873 it was re-named Kimberley after John Wodehouse, 1st Earl Of Kimberley and British secretary of state for the colonies.
The big hole, which yielded 14,5 million carats of diamonds from 28 million tons of 'blue ground', dominates the city of Kimberley and is quite an awesome sight. It is dormant now, and has been since 1914, but the Kimberley Mine Museum recreates what it was like in its heyday.
Kimberley was not always peaceful and prosperous and some of the most decisive Anglo-Boer War battles were fought here. In 1899 the Siege of Kimberley lasted 124 days, with the entire town (including Rhodes) besieged inside. For four months the town was subjected to sporadic gunfire, and the women and children were sent down into the De Beers Mine to protect them from shelling.
Top things to do in Kimberley:
- The Kimberley Mine Museum, widely known as the "Big Hole", is a must see.
- The McGregor Museum, literally offers you everything from A (Archaeology) to Z (Zoology). It is well worth a visit
- One of the finest in the country, the William Humphreys Art Gallery is situated in scenic gardens and is the cultural oasis of the Northern Cape.
- The Magersfontein Battlefield Museum is fascinating. Experience the battle with the gun fire as background in a reconstructed trench and watch the fight taking place right in front of your own eyes!
- Dunluce house was designed by the architect D W Greatbatch, and is one of Kimberley's most elegant houses.
- Rudd House depicts the luxurious lifestyle of one of the most famous mine magnates in Kimberley's history, with typical furniture & decorations of the time.
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