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AAre you a historical traveller? Not just legendary, but one of those tourists who loves to embrace the history of their destination? If you’re interested in South African history, The National Museum of South Africa is a living museum that strives to reflect history as it is happening as well as recording the natural and social past of this dynamic, vibrant and ever-evolving country.
The National Museum of South Africa, located in Bloemfontein, strives to promote the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the South African natural and cultural environment through high-quality curation, conservation, research and education.
Did You Know?
BBloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa.
TThe National Museum was founded way back in 1877 at which stage its exhibits and displays were made up of rarities from around the world. Since then the museum has developed a stronger focus on South African issues of interest and grown into an institution of international stature.
The National Museum
TThe museum's collections now include natural history and cultural history, sciences as well as art. Through an intensive process of research and acquisition in these varied disciplines, valuable and important collections have been established. This is the centre of South African natural, cultural and historical curation!
The National Museum has grown significantly over the years, now with 13 research departments, an Information Services section, and three technical departments.
Among the many strengths of the museum is undoubtedly its natural history exhibits. Among the choice items on display are life-size fibreglass elephants, a cast of the world-famous Florisbad skull including fossils and stone tools from Florisbad, the only complete skeleton of Euskelosaurus in the world (one of the earliest known dinosaurs), and a “working” beehive and live reptiles in the new Herpetology Hall.
VVisitors can also get a more detailed view of the history of Bloemfontein itself from the reconstructed Victorian Bloemfontein street scenes exhibition and the Mangaung exhibit.
So, if your interest lies in African cultures, archaeology, birds, geology, herpetology, invertebrates, mammals, palaeontology or astronomy, don't miss out on the National Museum – it’ll blow your mind!
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