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Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth is actually a heritage trail that takes its visitors back in history to the year 1849. Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth is a terrace of Victorian houses built between 1860 and 1870 which have recently been restored and are now acknowledged as national monuments. The Donkin Houses, the Donkin Reserve and memorial pyramid which were acknowledged as National Monuments in 1938 form part of this heritage trail. The terraced Donkin Houses reflect the architecture pattern of the High Victorian styles. Wooden verandas and white and black striped corrugated iron roofing are some of the prominent features of the buildings.
Your visit to Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth can start from the north western corner of Market Square at The Library Building, a national monument. The present library building was opened in 1902 and is considered as a classic example of the Victorian Gothic architecture. Towering high above the main street and the city centre, is the imposing Sicilian marble Statue of Queen Victoria.
Come to the right of the statue and you will find the Market Square, originally the landing beach. Now a pedestrian square, it was once the focal point for the buying and selling of goods by the local and district farmers. Campanile is set eastwards from Market Square. It is a rising tower built to celebrate the landing of the 1820 Settlers. Move away from the shores of the ocean and you will find the Number 7 Castle Hill. One of the oldest homes in Port Elizabeth, it boasts a lower storey built of stone and an upper of brick with yellowwood floors and beams. It is now a Historical Museum. The Fort Frederick overlooks the old landing beach at the mouth of the Baakans River.
Bird Street at Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth is an area that was once a posh residential area of elegant homes set with beautiful landscaped gardens. Here you can see the Pembridge House which was built in 1840 for merchant Joseph Smith. Also, there is the King George VI Art Gallery, a conservatory, an open air theatre, churches, a horse memorial, hotel and an opera house. These landmarks and many other historic sites are within walking distance from the Donkin Houses.
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