[lwptoc]
Pretoria is a city in South Africa’s Gauteng Province, in the northern section of the country. It serves as the seat of the executive arm of government and is one of the country’s three capital cities. (The legislative capital is Cape Town, while the judicial capital is Bloemfontein.)
Pretoria is renowned as the Jacaranda City in South Africa because of the hundreds of Jacaranda trees planted in its streets, parks, and gardens. It was named after the Voortrekker commander Andries Pretorius.
Pretoria has had a wide range of cultural influences throughout the years, which is reflected in the architectural styles seen across the city. It includes architectural styles ranging from 19th century Dutch, German, and British colonial architecture through contemporary, postmodern, neomodern, and art deco architecture, as well as a healthy mix of particularly South African designs.
The Pretoria National Botanical Garden and the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa are both located in Pretoria. The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Pretorius Square gardens, the Pretoria Rosarium, Church Square, Pretoria Showgrounds, Springbok Park, Freedom Park, and Burgers Park, the city’s oldest park and now a national monument, are just a few of the city’s smaller parks and gardens.
Pretoria has an impressive collection of public art. Pretoria, a dynamic and changing city, has a thriving art scene with a broad spectrum of works ranging from sculptures to murals to works by globally and locally known artists. A large collection of native artworks may be seen in the Pretoria Art Museum.