Piet Retief Monument
Piet Retief Monument
3
Full view










Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
71 within 3 miles
Attractions
44 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.0
20 reviews
Excellent
0
Very good
5
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,773 contributions
Dec 2021
This monument is at a site where the farm of Piet Retief once was. Retief who lived during the early 1800s was a Voortrekker (Boer pioneer) who evaded British colonial rule in the Western Cape. Dissatisfaction about having to give up their own Dutch language and free their enslaved workers without -in their view- enough compensation, drove these Boers into the interior of South Africa where they settled on land controlled by indigenous people. This of course led to conflict. Zulu king Dingane had Retief and his party of some 100 men all killed after negotiations over land ownership. Retief though he had a deal, but Dingane believed otherwise. This happened in 1838, but until today "Dingane's betrayel" as conservative Boers see it, still strengthens the idea among them that black people can not be trusted.
Written December 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky de Jager
Pretoria, South Africa486 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
If you like to read about history than it is worth it.
It's across the street from Pollok Beach. Me and friends walked there it was a nice stroll and it is nearby some good hotels.
The place was a bit neglected and one plate needs to be restored other wise you can read all the other plates.
There is not a lot of people passing through there so it is quite. I actually went and viewed it twice out of generally boredom.
It's across the street from Pollok Beach. Me and friends walked there it was a nice stroll and it is nearby some good hotels.
The place was a bit neglected and one plate needs to be restored other wise you can read all the other plates.
There is not a lot of people passing through there so it is quite. I actually went and viewed it twice out of generally boredom.
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohamed A
58 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
Don't waste your time stopping to take pictures next to this monument. Other than old Afrikaaner society history, there is no point. No tourists were at this monument, it is close to the beach road, and everybody just drives past it.
Written November 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albertgerber
Johannesburg, South Africa765 contributions
Dec 2016
The Piet Retief monument is situated almost on the beachfront. The monument was erected on the original farm of Voortrekker leader Piet Retief. For tourists who do not know much about local history this monument might not make a lot of sense. However, when one understands and knows SA history the significance of this monument will be very much appreciated. I was quite surprised to learn that Piet Retief did own a farm in this particular location.
Written December 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew D
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa80 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
This monument commemorates the life and journey of a group of colonialists led by boer "great trek" leader Piet Retief. At some stage Retief had a farm on the site.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shauns2111
South Africa1,115 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Problem with these type of memorials, if you don't know the history it means nothing. I had to Google "Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners" which was formed on 14 August 1875 to actually find more information.
Piet Retief was one of the Voortrekker leaders of the Afrikaner people in South Africa. He was murdered by Dingane after signing a deed of cession signed by Dingane himself on 6 February 1838.
Piet Retief was one of the Voortrekker leaders of the Afrikaner people in South Africa. He was murdered by Dingane after signing a deed of cession signed by Dingane himself on 6 February 1838.
Written September 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissBonolo
Johannesburg, South Africa11 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
I took a picture on this monument. It's always good to read about our South African heritage and history
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shabnam Z
Sandton, South Africa357 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Its a pity that the city of port elizabeth does not have a budget to maintain its historic sights. Its one of the oldest cities in South Africa and has a number of monuments to visit
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbb88
Boksburg, South Africa698 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Only saw it when passing on Marine Drive. Found in interesting to read, never noticed it the other times we have been to the shopping centre.
Written June 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbb88
Boksburg, South Africa698 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
We stopped by to learn something but there were hobos sleeping around it. Some of the engravings were worn I think due to cleaning, not sure. A pity that it is not looked after properly
Written March 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingPiet Retief Monument - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Piet Retief Monument
- Hotels near Piet Retief Monument:
- (0.14 mi) Cape Flame Guest House
- (0.22 mi) Carslogie House
- (0.24 mi) Manor 38
- (0.19 mi) Margate Place Guest House
- (0.19 mi) Anchorage Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Piet Retief Monument:
- (0.10 mi) Charlies Pizza & Pasta Summerstrand
- (0.10 mi) Something Good Roadhouse
- (0.11 mi) Kaffeine
- (0.10 mi) Fishtales
- (0.12 mi) Kaffeine Espresso Bar