The Union Buildings were designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker and building was completed in 1913. Since then, they have been at the heart of South African politics, throughout the turbulent years that followed. They are very grand, the façade stretching some 285 metres, with domed towers and ornate colonnades, and are set in glorious grounds of manicured gardens. They became iconic when Nelson Mandela delivered his inaugural address from the buildings, and the Union Buildings are still, to this day, the official seat of South African government and the offices of the President. Their impressive architecture, wonderful setting, and important place in history make them a key part of any tour of Pretoria.