The granite monument stands on a hilltop and was erected to commemorate the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854.
After 12 years of construction, the monument was opened on December 16, 1949.
The main attractions inside the building are the historic frieze and the cenotaph.
The main entrance to the building leads into the vaulted Hall of Heroes. This vast space, flanked by four enormous arched windows made of yellow Belgian glass, contains the unique historic marble frieze. It is the largest marble frieze in the world. The frieze consists of 27 bas-relief panels depicting the story of the Great Trek.
In the center of the floor of the Hall of Heroes is a large circular opening through which one can view the cenotaph in the cenotaph hall.
The cenotaph, located in the center of the cenotaph hall, is the focal point of the monument. It is visible not only from the Heroes' Hall, but also from the dome atop the building, from which much of the monument's interior can be seen. Through an opening in this dome, a ray of sunlight shines onto the center of the cenotaph at noon every year on December 16, touching the words "Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika" (Afrikaans for "We for You, South Africa").