20km south of City on Hillside Road, which continues as Burnside Road. Old Bulawayo was established by King Lobengula as his capital in 1870 after the death of his father King Mzilikazi in 1868. It layout to an extent reflects the complex heritage of the Ndebele people. In 1881, after 11 years of occupation, Lobengula moved his capital what is now the modern city of Bulawayo. He ordered the destruction of the old settlement by fire.
In 1990, National Museums & Monuments of Zimbabwe identified koBulawayo as suitable as an educational and tourist centre. In 1998 it was reconstructed as a theme park. Structures such as a wagonshed, the outer palisade, King Lobengula’s palace, 8 beehive huts and cattle kraal, as well as a nearby interpretive centre were constructed.
Archeological prospecting of Old Bulawayo and nearby Jesuit Mission in being undertaken by National Museum and Monuments. Reconstruction still is underway.
