Roma brings together a Catholic missionary history, palaeontological sites and the Roma Loop Route. These features appeal to different interests: history, dinosaur footprints and mountain biking. You can consider each of these connections separately when choosing your destination.

Mission and Dinosaur Footprints

The Catholic mission in Roma was founded in 1862. Together with the dinosaur footprints, it offers a different time perspective: the mission’s founding is associated with a specific date, while footprints tell a story of a much earlier geological past.

One dinosaur footprint site is near Roma at Lephoto Dam, in Lesotho’s upper Elliot Formation. In addition, Megatheropod footprints have been found on an informal road near the National University of Lesotho in Roma. The sites therefore have different geographical connections: one is near Roma at the dam, while the other is in Roma by the university.

The Roma Loop Route by Mountain Bike

The Roma Loop Route is 20 km long, runs in and around Roma, and is described as an easy mountain bike route. Alongside the mission’s history and the footprint finds, it offers another clearly defined travel option: a cycling route. If cycling is one of your interests, you can take the route into account when deciding whether to visit Roma. Check the route’s current availability and conditions before setting out.

Cultural History in the Wider Destination of Maseru

In the wider destination of Maseru, Morija offers its own connection to cultural history. Morija Museum & Archives is the oldest surviving museum and archive in the Kingdom of Lesotho. It officially opened in 1956 and moved to its current permanent premises in 1989. The two dates mark different milestones: the official opening and the later move to permanent premises.

Morija Arts Centre hosts art and craft exhibitions, workshops and music events. Together with The Hub @ Morija and Morija Museum & Archives, it forms the core of Morija’s Cultural Precinct. Morija is considered Lesotho’s arts town.

The festival’s history also has a defined timeframe: Morija hosted the nationally recognised Morija Arts & Cultural Festival from 1999 to 2013. For your cultural itinerary, the museum and arts centre’s institutional connections therefore differ from the festival’s time-limited history.

Another historical site in the wider destination of Maseru is Thaba Bosiu National Monument. From 1824 to 1870, it served as the political, cultural and spiritual centre of the Basotho nation. Together with the mission in Roma, founded in 1862, this historical context offers another perspective on the region’s history. The mission’s founding in 1862 took place during the period when Thaba Bosiu served as a centre, until 1870.

Discover more destinations: Maseru, Mphoto, Lirahalibonoe.

Go to the wider travel overview: Maseru.