Gold and the history of Johannesburg are intertwined. The discovery of gold in the late 1890's led to a gold rush by prospectors from all over the world to the area now known as Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng.

Gold Reef City reflects the history of the discovery of Gold and style of life to those who worked on the mines. The center of the City is Shaft Number 14 which was started in 1887 and only closed as a working mine in 1971.

This mine now offers escorted underground tours which show mining techniques of the early 1900's and those of today. On surface the actual pouring of gold can be seen.

Be sure to visit the original old chapel, where you can in fact be married. The hotel is a great place for lunch and don't forget to stop in to see how old newspapers were put together.

Its appeal is broad. International travellers savour the offering of traditional African music, dance and history found throughout the complex. The carefully-documented history of Apartheid, chillingly yet beautifully depicted in the Museum, is a must-see on a South African visit. And nowhere else will the tourist find such a comprehensive and colourful depiction of mining life at the turn of the nineteenth century. Most of the employees of the resort are dressed in costumes of that era.

Interested visitors can take the nostalgic steam-train or a historical coach for a sightseeing tour through the extended premises. Those interested in gold mining can see the gold-containing ore veins in an old mine, or observe in a small museum how real gold is poured into barrels.

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