Durban City Hall

A domed Edwardian showpiece by the sea, the Durban City Hall dominates the centre of the coastal city, its grand neo-Baroque facade closely modelled on the city hall of Belfast. Completed around 1910, it was intended to announce Durban's prosperity as a booming port, and its columns, statuary and copper dome still give the surrounding streets a stately, imperial air.

The building is more than an administrative pile. Beneath its dome it houses a concert hall known for fine acoustics, along with the city's natural science museum and its main art gallery, so a single visit can combine architecture, culture and natural history. The museum's displays include a famous reconstruction of an extinct bird and wide-ranging natural history collections popular with families.

Its setting places it at the historic heart of Durban. The hall faces a public square and stands near other colonial-era landmarks, war memorials and the busy commercial district, making it a natural focus for exploring the old city centre. The ornate stonework and detailing repay a slow look, and the interior public spaces are open during museum and gallery hours.

For visitors, the city hall works well as an anchor for a walking route through central Durban, ideally by day and with awareness of the busy urban surroundings. The art gallery is noted for its collection of South African art, including work in beadwork and other local media, while the concert hall hosts orchestral and other performances. Combining the museum, gallery and architecture makes for an easy and inexpensive half-day. As one of the most imposing buildings in KwaZulu-Natal, the City Hall captures the confidence of early twentieth-century Durban and remains a cultural hub for the city today.