National Afrikaans Literary Museum Travel Guide: Top Sights in South

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National Afrikaans Literary Museum- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; South Africa; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre (NALN), located in Bloemfontein, South Africa, serves as a comprehensive archive and research hub dedicated to Afrikaans literature, music, and drama. Housed in the historic Old Free State Government Building—originally commissioned in 1875 and later redesigned by architect Sir Herbert Baker—the museum holds an extensive collection of over 750,000 items. These include manuscripts, books, periodicals, posters, audiovisual material, and personal belongings of notable Afrikaans literary figures. The museum's garden features busts of authors and artists, along with trees planted by visiting dignitaries, reflecting its longstanding cultural relevance. Founded in 1973, NALN has evolved from a regional archive into a nationally significant institution. It has increasingly incorporated the works of black and Cape Coloured Afrikaans authors since the 1990s, contributing to a more inclusive representation of the language's literary heritage. Despite funding challenges and structural setbacks in the 2000s, the museum continues to serve as a valuable resource for scholars and visitors interested in the development of Afrikaans as a cultural medium in South Africa.

Operators offering tours in South Africa

Attractions in Bloemfontein

Anglo Boer War Museum

Naval Hill

4.4

National Museum Bloemfontein

4.6

Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens

4.4

Oliewenhuis Art Museum

4.6

Free State Stadium

Freshford House Museum

4.2

South African Armour Museum

4.6

Reviews of National Afrikaans Literary Museum

Anirbas Malan

5
Reviewed: 2025-05-05

The people working here are dedicated, generous with their time, and invested in enriching your knowledge of the history of Afrikaans writers and of the building itself. A wonderful place to spend your time, filled with antique items of the writers themselves. An amazing archive of books, journals, newspapers, and art. Will definitely be glad to go there again. They even have a wonderful collection of second hand books to buy. Wonderful
Margarethie Bredenkamp

3
Reviewed: 2022-03-22

I have very mixed feelings about this place. It needs serious maintenance. But the staff are making a very brave effort in safekeeping South African literature, especially Afrikaans and Sotho. Their book launches are well organised and attended.
Ciska Craig-Cochrane

3
Reviewed: 2020-03-05

The selection of artifacts is commendable, but the presentation is outdated. Would be awesome to see this presented in a way that would encourage visitors to interact
Kara Montgomery

5
Reviewed: 2020-01-18

The most beautiful architecture with the most helpful staff! Abel at the front desk is always a favourite face!
Oreeditse Dikgetsi

5
Reviewed: 2019-01-27

Apart of it being the only Afrikaans Literary Museum, it holds information of the most Highly Prominent writer's, upcoming writer's. Not just information, but their artefacts as well. It caters for all, including people with disabilities as well across the the country and world wide. I highly recommend it.