Maseru

Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, is situated just across the border from South Africa at the Maseru Bridge border post. The city lies in a shallow valley at the foot of the Hlabeng-Sa-Likhama, foothills of the Maloti Mountains. Meaning "the place of red sandstone", Maseru is the largest town in Lesotho with a population of approximately 230 000. Maseru's older buildings, as well as some stylish new ones, are built from well-crafted local sandstone, now recognized as the town's vernacular building material.

The main road through the centre of town is the Kingsway. It was paved for the occasion of a royal visit by the British King just after the Second World War.

Although Lesotho has progressed with the modern world, the traditional ways are still part of everyday life. It is possible to see Basotho blanket-clad horsemen riding through the traffic or traditional craftsmen at work on the pavement outside an office block.

Although there are not many 'sights' in Maseru, it is the perfect place to begin exploring the many facets of Lesotho.