Melrose House, Pretoria (must see)

Melrose House is a stately Victorian mansion that was built in 1886 by the prosperous Pretoria businessman George Jesse Heys. It was named after the famous Melrose Abbey in Scotland. Melrose House gained fame during the Second Boer War (1899–1902), when Lord Roberts requisitioned it as the headquarters for the British forces after Pretoria was captured in June 1900.

Today, this elegant house is a museum that represents the transition from Victorian to Edwardian architectural styles and interiors. The interior is characterized by colorful stained glass windows, paintings by English artists, carpets in rich colors, ornate ceilings and fireplaces, and valuable porcelain ornaments. The majority of these items were the property of the Heys family.