History of Victoria Falls

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Victoria Falls is inextricably linked to the waterfall of the same name, which locals have called "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (The Smoke That Thunders) for centuries. The modern chronicle of the settlement began in the mid-19th century when the Scottish explorer David Livingstone visited these lands in 1855. It was he who named the falls in honour of Queen Victoria, placing this point on world maps.

The actual foundation of the city occurred later, in 1901. Initially, the settlement emerged on the banks of the Zambezi River and was called Old Drift. However, due to malaria outbreaks and the need to build transport infrastructure, the village was relocated to its current, more elevated and safe location.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of Victoria Falls from a small camp into a major tourism centre was driven by several strategic reasons:

• Bridge Construction: A decisive moment was the erection of the famous bridge over Victoria Falls, completed in 1905. This engineering project was part of an ambitious plan to create a railway from Cape Town to Cairo.
• Geographical Location: The city became a key transport hub connecting the north and south of the region across the Zambezi River, ensuring a constant flow of people and goods.
• Natural Uniqueness: Proximity to one of the most majestic waterfalls in the world made this place a natural magnet for travellers even before the advent of mass tourism.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, the city's economy was formed around serving travellers and transport routes. As early as 1904, the historic The Victoria Falls Hotel opened here, becoming a symbol of hospitality and elegance in the region. This set the tone for the city's further development as a world-class resort.

Culturally, early Victoria Falls represented a unique blend of indigenous traditions and European engineers, builders, and early tourists. The city quickly acquired the status of a "gateway" to the African wilderness while maintaining the atmosphere of a cosy and strategically important outpost of civilisation.

Chronology of City Development

• 1855: David Livingstone becomes the first European to see the falls and names them in honour of the British Queen.
• 1898: The settlement of Old Drift is founded on the banks of the Zambezi River, becoming the predecessor to the modern city.
• 1904: The railway arrives in the region, and the famous The Victoria Falls Hotel opens its doors.
• 1905: Construction is completed, and the official opening of the bridge across the Victoria Falls gorge takes place.
• 1937: The first hydroelectric power station at the falls is commissioned to provide the city with energy.
• 1952: The territories adjacent to the falls are officially declared a national park for nature conservation.
• 1967: An airport capable of receiving large passenger aircraft opens, stimulating tourism growth.
• 1989: Victoria Falls and the surrounding park are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• 1999: Victoria Falls receives municipality status, expanding local self-governance capabilities.
• 2013: The city hosts the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.
• 2016: The opening of a new international airport terminal takes place, designed to handle 1.5 million passengers per year.
• 2020: Victoria Falls officially receives City status, becoming the country's key tourism hub.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The evolution of Victoria Falls from a trading post to the tourism and financial capital of the region passed through several critically important stages. Below are the key milestones that defined the modern economic and cultural appearance of the city:

• Launch of the Railway Bridge (1905).
  This event had decisive urban planning and economic significance. The bridge turned an isolated settlement into a strategic transport hub for Southern Africa, integrating it into the "Cape Town — Cairo" trade route. It was the bridge construction that stimulated the relocation of the city from the marshy terrain of Old Drift to the modern plateau.
• Establishment of the Hospitality Industry (Early 20th Century).
  The opening of historic hotels set the vector for the city's economic development for a century ahead. The city began to form not as an industrial centre, but as a world-class resort focused on receiving high-ranking guests and travellers, which defined its architectural style and service infrastructure.
• UNESCO International Recognition (1989).
  The inclusion of the falls in the World Heritage list radically influenced urban planning policy. The priority became the preservation of the unique natural landscape, which imposed strict restrictions on high-rise construction and industrial development within the city limits, preserving its "green" appearance.
• Globalization of Transport Accessibility (2016).
  The large-scale reconstruction of the airport and the extension of the runway allowed for the reception of wide-body aircraft directly from Europe and other continents. This event lifted the city out of dependence on regional hubs and significantly increased the inflow of foreign currency into the economy.
• Granting of City Status and Creation of SEZ (2020).
  Officially receiving "City" status was not just an administrative formality but an economic breakthrough. Declaring Victoria Falls a Special Economic Zone and launching the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) transformed the city into a financial centre, attracting international investment in tourism and infrastructure.

Urban Development and Layout

The architectural history of Victoria Falls is unique in that the city was initially designed as a tourism and transport hub, rather than an industrial or administrative centre. The urban planning concept was dictated by the need to preserve the natural landscape and ensure the comfort of travellers.

A crucial stage of urbanisation was the relocation of the settlement from the marshy banks of the Zambezi (Old Drift) to a high plateau in the early 20th century. This decision defined the modern spacious layout of the city: wide streets, an abundance of greenery, and strict restrictions on building height so as not to disturb the visual harmony with "The Smoke That Thunders".

Architectural Styles and Iconic Structures

The city's appearance was formed in two main stages: the period of British colonial influence and the modern stage of eco-tourism development. In the architecture of Victoria Falls, the following key directions can be highlighted:

• Edwardian Style and Colonial Classics.
  The most striking representative of this era is the historic hotel The Victoria Falls Hotel (1904). The building is executed in a classic colonial style with elements of Edwardian architecture: white facades, wide terraces with arches, inner courtyards, and high ceilings designed to provide coolness. This style set the tone for many administrative buildings and the old railway station, emphasising an atmosphere of elegance and stability.
• Industrial Architecture of the Early 20th Century.
  An iconic object is the Victoria Falls Bridge. It is a masterpiece of engineering thought of that time, representing a steel arch construction. Although it is a strictly utilitarian structure, its aesthetics became an integral part of the gorge's architectural ensemble, symbolising the connection between technology and wild nature.
• Modern Afro-Modernism and "Safari-Chic".
  In the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries, the emphasis shifted to harmony with the environment. Most modern lodges and hotels are built in a style mimicking traditional African dwellings but using modern materials. Characteristic features include thatched roofs, the use of natural stone and wood, and open layouts.
• High-Tech and Functionalism.
  The new terminal of Victoria Falls International Airport, opened in 2016, brought elements of modern architecture in glass and concrete to the region, adapted for the hot climate. The building combines the functionality of an international hub with elements of local decor, symbolising the city's aspiration towards the future.

Outstanding Personalities in the City's History

The history of Victoria Falls is inextricably linked with the names of great explorers, engineers, and rulers whose ambitions and labours turned this place into a world-renowned landmark. Below are key figures who left their mark on the region's chronicle.

• David Livingstone — Scottish Missionary and Explorer of Africa.
  The first European to see the falls in 1855. It was he who gave it the name "Victoria" in honour of the British Queen, placed the object on world maps, and opened the region to global civilisation. A monument to Livingstone is today installed at the viewpoint near the falls.
• Mzilikazi — King and Founder of the Ndebele (Matabele) State.
  A great leader who controlled vast territories of modern-day Zimbabwe, including the falls area, in the first half of the 19th century. His rule ensured relative stability in the region prior to the arrival of European colonisers.
• Cecil John Rhodes — Politician, Businessman, and Founder of De Beers.
  Although Rhodes never visited the falls in person, he played a decisive role in the city's development. It was his ambitious "Cape Town — Cairo" railway project that brought the tracks to the Zambezi. Rhodes insisted that the bridge be built in immediate proximity to the falls so that the "spray would fall on the train carriages".
• Thomas Baines — English Artist and Traveller.
  In 1862, he became one of the first to capture the falls on canvas. His realistic and colourful paintings showed the world the beauty of this natural wonder for the first time, sparking immense interest among the public in Europe and stimulating the first expeditions.
• Sir Ralph Freeman — Distinguished Structural Engineer.
  Developed the design for the famous Victoria Falls Bridge. His engineering genius allowed for the erection of a 198-metre steel arch over the deep gorge, which became a key factor in transforming the settlement into a major transport hub.
• Emil Holub — Czech Physician, Cartographer, and Ethnographer.
  Conducted a detailed study of the region in 1875. Holub compiled the first detailed map of the falls area and published extensive works on the flora, fauna, and local peoples, making an invaluable contribution to the scientific understanding of this locality.
• George Pauling — Railway Contractor.
  The man who physically brought the dream of the railway to life. Under his leadership, tracks were laid across difficult landscapes to the falls, which allowed for the opening of communication in 1904 and kick-started the development of the tourism industry.