Travel Guide Gweru

Gweru is the largest town in the Midlands and one of the five largest in Zimbabwe. It was built in 1894 as a staging post between Harare and Bulawayo: six hotels were soon built and Gweru became the preferred site for gold prospectors. The first bank opened in 1896, followed in 1898 by the Stock Exchange, which is still located in the center today. In 1902, the railroad reached this part of the Midlands and Gweru experienced a major boom. Until the late 1930s, it served as a supply, trade and exchange point for all the ranches and farms in the area. In 1939, a second boom occurred when the Bata shoe company decided to locate a factory in Gweru, and the town began to prosper further. Today, Gweru is an active town but not of great tourist interest. However, there are some interesting ruins to visit around Gweru, as well as Antelope Park.