Tribes specializing in hunting and picking were the first settlers in the territory of modern Lesotho. They lived on this land peacefully until the 17th century when Bantu tribes occupied the territory. In the first half of the 19th century, the Sotho people and their leader Moshoeshoe I claimed the region. In the 1830s, Boer migrants became a threat to the wellbeing of the Sotho. Because of this, the Sotho leader had to ask Great Britain for help.
Each of the small towns of the country is of great interest to tourists. Maseru is the capital of the country. This was a small and modest settlement deprived of any tourist infrastructure until 1970. After a period of active development, the capital got a status of the “town-like village”. Nevertheless, there are many interesting landmarks in Maseru. The beautiful Royal Palace is one of them. It is also interesting to visit the National Museum that exhibits a large collection of historic and ethnographic artifacts. The colorful market is one of the most popular attractions of the capital as this market is great for buying exotic fruit and souvenirs.
Do you want to learn more about the culture of local people? If the answer is yes, head straight to Teyateyaneng. This town was initially founded as the center traditional art and handicrafts. Nowadays, there are many unique artisan workshops and small manufactures that make different kinds of goods in Teyateyaneng. Best artists from all over the country move to this town. Local workshops offer one-of-a-kind paintings, tapestries, and other items. Tourists on a budget can simply come to this town and visit different workshops as museums – local craftsmen and merchants are always glad to see new guests. This small town is also famous for its wool items.
Quthing is a typical colonial town with multiple historic attractions. Nowadays, the territory of the town is conventionally divided into new and old parts. There are many beautiful buildings in the colonial style in Old Quthing. Many of these buildings were transformed into hotels, shops, and restaurants. New Quthing is popular too because there are many shops and inexpensive cafes in this part of the town. Besides them, there are several modern hotels and entertainment centers in New Quthing. This charming town definitely deserves visiting, and the gorgeous Masitise Cave House, an unusual church made of limestone, is one more reason to do this.
