Sammy Marks’ Museum

Pretoria


This handsome mansion, 20km east of central Pretoria, was built in 1884 for the industrial, mining and agricultural magnate Sammy Marks. Now it’s a fascinating museum that you can only enter on a tour (around five a day, each lasting an hour). It's worth visiting also for the lovely grounds with a shady tea garden overlooking the house.

Marks (1844–1920) was born into a poor family in what is now Lithuania and made his fortune in South Africa. His will stipulated that the house and all its contents not be sold on for three generations – hence the amazing collection of furnishings and personal effects inside, most of which date back over a century. This is as close as you'll get to a South African Downton Abbey.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Pretoria attractions

1. Pretoria National Botanical Garden

6.45 MILES

Located around 9km east of central Pretoria, these gardens cover 7700 sq m and are planted with indigenous flora from around the country. There are 20,000…

2. Cullinan Diamond Mine

10.16 MILES

Open pit mining for diamonds started here in 1903. Two years later the largest rough gem diamond ever found – a 3106-carat whopper – was unearthed here…

3. Pretoria Art Museum

10.33 MILES

Specialising in South African art from most of the country’s history, this good gallery contains works by all the big local hitters, from Jacob Hendrik…

4. Union Buildings

10.47 MILES

Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, these sweeping sandstone buildings are the headquarters of government and home to the presidential offices. They're not…

5. Fort Klapperkop

10.76 MILES

There are panoramic views from the 1889 fort that was one of four built to defend Pretoria, although in the end it was never used for that purpose…

6. Rietvlei Nature Reserve

11.33 MILES

This 38-sq-km reserve, 27km south of Pretoria, off Rte 21, is popular with locals who come for fishing in the dam, but is also great for wildlife viewing…

7. 012central

11.35 MILES

The rebirth of downtown Pretoria has been given a kickstart by the redevelopment of this set of buildings into an events, arts and social hub. Check out…

8. Melrose House

11.65 MILES

On 31 May 1902, the Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), was signed in the dining room of this stately mansion. Highlights…