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The origin of the name Bloemfontein, ‘Flower Fountain’, remains something of a mystery.
The origin of the name Bloemfontein, ‘Flower Fountain’, remains something of a mystery. But given the Free State city’s fine floral heritage, the name’s literal translation is perhaps the most fitting these days. The best view of the city is from Naval Hill, which is home to the Franklin Nature reserve and the Bloemfontein Zoo. Sites and events worth visiting are The National Botanical Gardens, The Ficksburg Cherry Festival in November which draws thousands of visitors to the area, the picturesque town of Clarens which attracts potters, painters and sculptors, and the soaring sandstone formations at Golden Gate National Park. Fast earning fame as one of the top guest houses in South Africa is Bloemfontein’s Hobbit House, a Victorian delight packed with eccentricities inspired by The Hobbit author JR Tolkien, who was born in the house.
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