6 Historical Monuments You Can Visit In Lesotho

The most important monuments in Lesotho include numerous wonderful architectural wonders which are considered modern as well as customary and these are a part of the Arabic style of architecture. Lesotho is adorned with historical monuments that not only allure the tourists but reflect the glorious past of the city, its times and past era. The 6 historical monuments in Lesotho which attract the tourists round the year and have gleaming facts of the past describing Lesotho are mentioned below:

# Gates of Paradise Pass

This lovely gravel pass with its alluring name connects Thabaneng in the west with Malealea in the east and offers beautiful rural scenery in the western corner of the Mountain Kingdom. At 3.7 km it’s a fairly short pass by Lesotho standards and only displays an altitude variance of 120m, and all the corners are gentle as are the gradients, which reach 1:5 near the summit and immediately after it.

As the summit is crested a beautiful view is presented and where the pass got its name from. The famous monument in Lesotho is popular more by its name than any sort of driving challenge, so if you want to drive this pass, don’t expect the usual Lesotho type statistics just enjoy the easy drive and beautiful scenery.

# Thaba Bosiu National Monument

To have a hike while in Maseru, this Thaba Bosiu National Monument is a fantastic cultural point just about 30 minutes from the city. It is such an amazing place to have a super hike together with your pals or family and it also provides the most historical gateway in Lesotho. This national monument in Lesotho holds a great natural significance portraying the historical Basotho fighting the Boers at that particular hill.

This amazing historical site is definitely worth a two hours visit. Try to get a dedicated and friendly guide who can explain the history behind the formation of Lesotho 170 years ago. Great views from the top will reward your efforts should you find the ascent strenuous. You can visit the cultural village and the museum afterwards for further insight into the not too distant past of this charming and beautiful country.

# Morija Museum & Archives

Morija Museum & Archives (MMA), formally established in 1956 at Morija, Lesotho, is a non-profit educational institution devoted to developing programmes and activities related to history, heritage and community-based tourism, the arts and culture, as well as science and the environment. This popular monument in Lesotho itself is small but there were some interesting exhibits covering the colonial era as well as some traditional cooking appliances and information about the Basotho people.

The information display boards are in both English and Sesotho. You will also get a pizza restaurant in the grounds of the museum as well as ‘The Hub’ an interesting looking initiative that has free internet access, a library, computers and numerous workshops for 100r per year. They (rarely for rural Lesotho) take cards in the museum itself as well as selling postcards of Lesotho. There are toilet facilities in the museum. Worth an hour or so of your time!

# Kome Cave Dwelling

At the Pulane area in Berea district, the Ha Kome Cave Village is situated in Lesotho. The cave is still inhabited by their descendants to this day. You would love to see the faded San paintings in the cave which indicates that the San also occupied the cave some time prior to their arrival albeit briefly. The Kome Crafts and Information Office is approximately 500 metres up the road from the caves. These beautiful caves house locally-made crafts including crafts from Lesotho Mountain Crafts in Teyateyaneng, 21 km from the centre.

You will also find here this heritage monument in Lesotho tuck shop and a small café at the centre. At the Kome Crafts and Information Centre, you can have a barbecue/braai and even picnic at one of its many strands. At the centre, the helpful staff can help you organise pony treks around the Pulane area and even assist you with guided tours of the Kome Cave Village. Catering is available upon request.

Camping is permitted but there aren’t any shower facilities. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if you are driving down to the centre and sensible footwear for the trip to the cave dwellings.

# Subeng Dinosaur Foot Prints

The dinosaur footprints at Subeng are embedded in a sandstone slab in a small stream and rank among the most important sites of its type in the country. Discovered in 1955, Subeng incorporates the footprints of at least three and possibly as many as six different species of dinosaur, some with five toes on their feet, and others with three. Look carefully and you will also see fossilised worm trails and mud cracks on other slabs in the riverbed.

A small sign on the side of the road advertises this important monument in Lesotho named Prehistoric dinosaur footprints. It’s about 500m from the main road and when you arrive you are greeted by the guide. The entrance fee goes to the community. Your guide will take you down to the river and show you the footprints in the sand stone and give you a brief explanation. You may also get the opportunity to take a look of the Lesotho rain frog a stone stone sculpture.

# Our Lady of Victory Cathedral

The Cathedral of Maseru is also known as Our Lady of Victory Cathedral. It is a Catholic Church located in the city of Maseru, Lesotho. This religious monument in Lesotho is governed by the Roman and works as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Maseru which was raised to its current status in 1961 by the Bull “Etsi priors” of Pope John XXIII. It was visited by Pope John Paul II on his tour of several African countries in 1988 and comes under the pastoral responsibility of Archbishop Gerard Tlali Lerotholi.

You’ll catch sight of Our Lady of Victory Cathedral after a stroll through the city center, a yellow-hued brick church. Dual towers support two crosses and arched window panes add interest. The cathedral is surrounded by palm trees. Opening times of the cathedral are inconsistent, so plan your visit accordingly (and with time to spare). Beautiful Cathedral in Maseru City Centre. Depending on the day, the opening hours seem to be different but you will be happy if you make the effort and visit.