Donkin Garden of Remembrance

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has put aside a small section next to the lighthouse on the Donkin Reserve as a Memorial Garden in memory of municipal councilors who have died while serving the public. The garden was unveiled by the mayor a couple of months ago and it remembers 52 (at the time of … Continue reading Donkin Garden of Remembrance →

The Prester John Cross – a monument to a mythical King-priest

The story of Prester John is a mysterious one. In some circles he was believed to be a descendant of the Three Wise Men, some believed he was a crusader-era Christian king based in Ethiopia or possibly a high-born Mongol from the time of Genghis Khan. Then there were those who said that he watched over Holy Grail, never … Continue reading The Prester John Cross – a monument to a mythical King-priest →

Queen Vic

One of my absolute favorite historic buildings is the old Public Library across the road from the City Hall and Market Square. The building was built in 1901 with the façade constructed in England and shipped to Port Elizabeth in numbered blocks to be reassembled in front of the building. The statue of Queen Victoria was added … Continue reading Queen Vic →

Port Elizabeth City Hall tower

The Port Elizabeth City Hall truly is a magnificent building and has pride of place amongst a number of other historic buildings in the city centre. The city hall was originally built between 1858 and 1862, but without the clock tower. The clock tower was only added in 1883.

St George and the dragon

Most people who have been to or driven past St Georges Park know the Cenotaph (war memorial) in front of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. I wonder though how many people know that one of the figures forming part of the Cenotaph is St George himself, sheathing his sword moments after killing the dragon. St George's … Continue reading St George and the dragon →

The crowning pigeon

I don't quite think I would like to be a statue. Yes, people walk past you and remember you every day, tourists stop by and take pictures and you have lots of feathered company but the problem is those same feathered friends and what they leave behind when they fly off again. Passing Queen Vic in … Continue reading The crowning pigeon →

The Cross of Prester John

The space between the Port Elizabeth City Hall, Old Post Office Building and the Feather Market Centre in Fleming Square and it contains a monument which is the only of its kind in the world. The Prester John Cross was unveiled in 1986 by the Portuguese Ambassador and is dedicated to the mythical king-priest, Prester John, and … Continue reading The Cross of Prester John →

193 years of being called PE

If you could go back 193 years in time to this day in 1820, you would see the arrival of Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony, in Algoa Bay to oversee the arrival and settling of the British Settlers. You would also see him look around at the beautiful bay with the small settlement on the coastline … Continue reading 193 years of being called PE →

The PAG soldier

On the top of the central pedestal of the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial in St Georges Park is a life-size figure of a sergeant-major of Prince Alfred's Guard. He is dressed in full uniform and is always standing at the ready to "charge".

Wellington Park

One of the things I've discovered since I've taken up geocaching is that even though I thought I knew everything there is to see in and around Port Elizabeth, I haven't. I've already been to at least three spots I've never visited before and I have another two new places lined up. One of those I … Continue reading Wellington Park →