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Johannesburg architecture

Johannesburg was founded in 1886 following the discovery of the world's largest gold deposit on the Witwatersrand, transforming an empty grassland into a booming city in under a decade. Today it is the economic capital of Africa and home to the continent's only world-class financial district in Sandton. The city is also said to have the world's largest man-made urban forest — over 10 million trees planted by early settlers in a region that was originally treeless highveld savanna.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 1892Oldest · Constitution Hill
  • 20 mTallest · Gold Reef City
  • 6Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoO.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

    O.R. Tambo International Airport, named after anti-apartheid leader Oliver Reginald Tambo, is Africa's busiest airport and the continent's primary aviation hub. Its striking design features a dramatic glass and steel terminal with sweeping views of the Highveld landscape. The airport connects Johannesburg to over 70 international destinations and serves as the main hub for South African Airways.

  • CurrencySouth African Rand (R)
  • LanguageZulu, Sotho & English

    Johannesburg is one of the most multilingual cities on Earth, reflecting South Africa's 11 official languages. Zulu and Sotho are the most widely spoken in Joburg's townships, while English is the primary language of business and the city center. IsiZulu greetings like 'Sawubona' (I see you) carry a depth of meaning rooted in Ubuntu philosophy — the belief in shared humanity.

  • Getting aroundGautrain & Rea Vaya BRT

    The Gautrain rapid rail system connects O.R. Tambo Airport to the financial hub of Sandton in just 15 minutes — one of the fastest airport-to-city rail links in Africa. It continues to Pretoria, the administrative capital, making it a vital regional connector. The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system operates on dedicated bus lanes through the city. For most visitors, private ride-hailing apps are the most practical way to get around.

5 landmarks in Johannesburg

  1. Apartheid Museum
    Photo: NJR ZA, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Apartheid Museum

    Northern Pkwy & Gold Reef Rd, Ormonde, Johannesburg 2013, South Africa

    One of the world's foremost museums of the 20th century, illustrating the rise and fall of apartheid through film, objects, and testimonies.

    Built
    2001
    Architect
    Mashabane Rose Architects
    Style
    Contemporary
    Height
    8 m (26 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Museum
  2. Constitution Hill
    Photo: ConstHill, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Constitution Hill

    1 Hospital St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa

    A former prison and military fort now home to South Africa's Constitutional Court, where both Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once imprisoned.

    Built
    1892
    Architect
    OMM Design Workshop (Constitutional Court)
    Style
    Industrial / Contemporary
    Height
    10 m (33 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Constitutional Court / museum
  3. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
    Photo: JMK, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

    Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort, Johannesburg 1724, South Africa

    A 300-hectare garden in the Magaliesberg featuring a waterfall, endemic plant species, and one of South Africa's largest Verreaux's eagle populations.

    Built
    1982
    Architect
    N/A (botanical garden)
    Style
    Natural landscape
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Botanical garden (active)

  4. Vilakazi Street

    Vilakazi St, Orlando West, Soweto 1804, South Africa

    The only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners — Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu — located in Soweto.

    Built
    1950
    Architect
    N/A (historic street)
    Style
    Township residential
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Heritage site / tourist destination
  5. Gold Reef City
    Photo: CMallwitz (talk), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Gold Reef City

    Northern Pkwy, Ormonde, Johannesburg 2013, South Africa

    A theme park built on top of a former gold mine from the 1880s Gold Rush, with rides, a casino, and guided mine shaft descents.

    Built
    1987
    Architect
    Various
    Style
    Victorian / industrial
    Height
    20 m (66 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Theme park / casino

More cities in Africa

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