想在比勒陀利亚找个俯瞰全城视野最好的地方,直接导航到位于梅因杰斯科山上的联合大厦准没错。作为南非政府的行政中心,这座全长约285米的宏伟建筑不仅是南非权力的象征,更是所有到访行政首都游客的必经之地。这里不需要门票也不用提前预约,全天候向游客开放室外花园部分。站在山顶你可以清楚地看到比勒陀利亚整齐的街道布局,如果恰好在十月或十一月的南非春天到访,满城绽放的蓝花楹会把脚下的城市染成一片紫色,那场景确实非常震撼。
这座建筑由著名建筑师赫伯特·贝克爵士设计,于1910年开始动工并耗时三年在1913年正式完工。当时整个工程花费了大约130万英镑,在那个年代算得上是天文数字。整座大厦呈弧形分布,左右两翼分别代表了当时南非地位对等的英语人群和布尔人群体,这种半圆形的结构在建筑学上也象征着团结。你会发现大厦外墙采用了大量浅红色的砂岩,这些石材在夕阳斜射时会透出一种温暖的质感。虽然办公区内部不对公众开放,但仅仅是外面整齐的阶梯花园和宏大的柱廊就足够消耗掉半个下午的快门。说到拍照,花园正中央那尊高达9米的曼德拉青铜像绝对是重头戏。这尊雕像在2013年曼德拉葬礼后不久揭幕,他双臂展开的姿势象征着对整个国家的拥抱。很多人会选择在雕像正前方合影,但其实稍微往台阶下方走两层,利用仰拍角度可以将雕像和背后的古典主义建筑主体完美框在一起。
说真的在这里停车是个技术活。联合大厦正门外的政府大道两侧虽然可以停车,但车位非常紧俏。你会看到很多穿着反光背心的当地人在路边指挥,他们通常被称为看车人。给个几兰特的零钱是当地的默认规则,这样能确保你游玩回来后车子还完好无损。考虑到安全因素,不建议太阳完全落山后还在花园周边逗留,尤其是一个人出行的时候。钱的问题也得算清楚,这里除了停车可能花点小钱,没有任何入场费用,所以那些试图向你推销所谓门票的人都是骗子,直接无视就好。如果你打算拍出那种没有路人干扰的大景,建议早上八点左右就赶到现场,那时候光线柔和且大型旅行团还没杀到。山上风大,即使是南非的夏天,清晨或傍晚风吹过来还是会带点凉意,随身带件薄外套能让你逛得更舒服。从这里出发去周边的先民纪念馆开车也就十五分钟左右,建议把这两个景点排在同一天,这样行程利用率最高。
目前联合大厦的内部办公区是不对公众开放的,游客只能在室外的阶梯花园、纪念碑以及曼德拉雕像区域活动。即便是南非本地居民,通常也只能在重大庆典或阅兵式时才有机会靠近建筑主体,所以大家把游玩重点放在建筑外观和俯瞰城市美景即可。
这里完全免费,没有任何官方售票渠道,也不需要像某些景点那样提前在网上预约名额。你可以随时开车前往,直接进入花园区域游览。如果遇到有人在入口处或是停车场向你索要门票费用,请务必拒绝,那些通常是针对外国游客的小骗局。
效果非常出色,这里是公认的比勒陀利亚蓝花楹最佳观赏点之一。由于联合大厦地处梅因杰斯科山的高处,你可以利用地理高度差,拍到大片紫色的树冠与城市建筑交织的远景。最佳花期通常集中在每年的十月中旬到十一月初,这期间建议早点去抢占花园最高处的长椅点位。
大厦内部及紧邻的花园区域并没有餐厅或咖啡馆,只有一些偶尔出没的流动水摊。如果逛累了想吃顿正餐,建议开车五分钟下山前往埃克伦区,那里有很多口碑不错的西餐厅和连锁快餐店。自带一些瓶装水和简单的零食在花园草坪上小坐一会也是不错的选择。
Victor Wang Nice spot to walk around and enjoy the garden scenery. Plenty of parking along the main road. The Nelson Mandela status is well worth a stop.
Denis This is the great place for visit! There’s fundamental architecture of the building with beauty of nature in the garden. Amazing views all around.
Stani I Ah, the Union Buildings in Pretoria! Let me tell you, it's more than just a place for me; it's my magical spot. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes, these iconic buildings exude an air of grandeur and elegance that never fails to leave me awe-inspired. As I approach the Union Buildings, I'm immediately enveloped by its enchanting atmosphere. The immaculately manicured gardens, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, create a sense of tranquility that instantly soothes my soul. It's a true haven where I can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The architecture of the Union Buildings is simply breathtaking. The majestic columns, intricate details, and impressive domes showcase the rich history and heritage of this remarkable place. But it's not just the physical beauty that makes the Union Buildings my magical spot. It's the energy and the sense of unity that permeates the air. As the administrative hub of South Africa, it's a place where people from all walks of life come together, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and harmony. The Union Buildings are not just a tourist attraction; they are a symbol of hope and progress. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a serene space to reflect, this magical spot has something for everyone. So, if you find yourself in Pretoria, make sure to visit the Union Buildings. Allow yourself to get lost in its beauty and let the magic of this place captivate your heart, just as it has captivated mine. Trust me, you won't want to miss this extraordinary experience.
Tshegofatso Monaisa it's a nice area to have a cute picnic, i enjoyed my time there a lot, my only issue was the incredible amount of litter that was not attended to because people didn't make use of the bins provided.
English Rose Went there on 12 June 2023. It is such a beautiful and historical place. Such a pity that some individuals decided to remove the metal plaques. I found the garden very beautiful, and although not 100% maintained, it was an epic experience. There is an unofficial "Khoisan Embassy" on the premises but I didn't bother to interact as they were strict on taking photos without consent and some of the untold stories were actually disturbing. We weren't allowed to enter the actual building, for reasons unknown. There is enough ground for a picnic but I don't think it is entirely safe to sit by oneself. Some dodgy people walking on the premises.