Kimberley is often referred to as the city that sparkles and is both the capital of the Northern Cape and the heart of the Diamond Fields region. The diamond city was the location for the infamous diamond rush in 1866 and one of the greatest sieges of the Anglo-Boer wars. Today, the incredible Big Hole remains the largest hand-dug excavation in the world and recalls those early days of diamond diggers, who contributed to South Africa being ranked as one of the top diamond production countries in the world. Kimberley’s Diamond District takes visitors back to years gone by with many old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries lending an historic ambience to the city that thrust its way to prominence during the diamond rush. Visitors can enjoy an underground mine experience in a replica mine shaft, view the Big Hole from a viewing platform or even take a vintage tram ride to the city centre.