Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth

Historic sites in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth

Historic Sites & Monuments

Gqeberha’s historical landscape is defined by its colonial heritage and maritime past. This collection features the Donkin Reserve’s 1861 lighthouse and stone pyramid, built by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife. Significant military landmarks include the Horse Memorial, honoring animals from the Boer War, and the Victorian Gothic Prince Alfred’s Guard Memorial. These sites, along with the Queen Victoria Statue and the Prester John monument, offer insights into the Eastern Cape's 19th-century development and the city's connection to early Portuguese exploration.

Historic Sites & Monuments — Map

Kay-africa / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial

Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial is a provincial heritage site in St George's Park in Port Elizabeth in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.

B

Donkin Hill Lighthouse

Built in 1861 to guide ships into Algoa Bay, this stone tower now serves as a central point in the Donkin Reserve and houses a visitor information center.

C

Queen Victoria Statue

Unveiled in 1903, this Sicilian marble statue stands outside the Public Library. It was commissioned to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

D

Port Elizabeth Cenotaph

Located at the entrance of St George's Park, this memorial features intricate bronze reliefs and honors soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars.

E

Donkin Pyramid

A stone memorial erected in 1820 by Sir Rufane Donkin for his late wife, Elizabeth. It is a key feature of the historic Donkin Reserve overlooking the harbor.

F

Horse Memorial

The Horse Memorial is a provincial heritage site in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, in memory of the horses…

G

Prester John

A large Coptic cross monument dedicated to the mythical king Prester John and the Portuguese explorers who searched for him along the African coast.

Other Lists

Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth Essentials Museums & Art Centers