Sights in Swakopmund
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Woermannhaus
From the shore, the delightful German-style Woermannhaus stands out above surrounding buildings - you'd be forgiven for assuming it's the town hall. In fact, it was designed by Friedrich Höft, and built in 1905 as the main offices of the Damara & Namaqua Trading Company. In 1909 however, it was taken over by the Woermann & Brock Trading Company, which supplied the current name. In the 1920s, it was used as a school dormitory, and later served as a merchant sailors' hostel.
It eventually fell into disrepair, but was declared a national monument and restored in 1976. For years, the prominent Damara tower (formerly a water tower) of the Woermannhaus provided a landmark for…
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Swakopmund Museum
When ill winds blow, head for the Swakopmund Museum , at the foot of the lighthouse, where you can hole up and learn about the town history. The museum occupies the site of the old harbour warehouse, which was destroyed in 1914 by a 'lucky' shot from a British warship.
Displays include exhibits on Namibia's history and ethnology, including information on local flora and fauna. Especially good is the display on the !nara melon, a fruit which was vital to the early Khoikhoi people of the Namib region. It also harbours a reconstructed colonial home interior, Emil Kiewittand's apothecary shop and an informative display on the Rössing Mine. Military buffs will appreciate the…
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Jetty
In 1905, the need for a good cargo- and passenger-landing site led Swakopmund's founders to construct the original wooden pier. Over the years, however, it was battered by the high seas and damaged by woodworm, and in 1911, construction began on a 500m iron jetty .
When the South African forces occupied Swakopmund, the port became redundant (they already controlled Walvis Bay), so the old wooden pier was removed in 1916 and the unfinished iron pier was left to the elements. In 1985 it was closed for safety purposes, but a year later, a public appeal raised 250,000 rand to restore the structure. It's now open to the general public, but unfortunately once again suffering…
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The Mole
In 1899, architect FW Ortloff's sea wall - better known as the Mole - was intended to enhance Swakopmund's poor harbour and create a mooring place for large cargo vessels. Unfortunately, Mr Ortloff was unfamiliar with the Benguela Current, which sweeps northwards along the coast, carrying with it a load of sand from the southern deserts.
Within less than five years, the harbour entrance was choked off by a sand bank and two years later, the harbour itself had been invaded by sand to create what is now called Palm Beach. The Mole is currently used as a mooring for pleasure boats.
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Prinzessin Rupprecht Heim
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The single-storey Prinzessin Rupprecht Heim was constructed in 1902, and was first used as a military hospital. In 1914 it was transferred to the Bavarian Women's Red Cross, which named it after its patron, Princess Rupprecht, wife of the Bavarian crown prince.
The idea was to expose convalescents to the healthy effects of the sea breeze. Until recently, one wing was still used as a maternity ward (the tourist literature claims it was closed due to a storks' strike).
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Alte Gefängnis
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The impressive 1909 Alte Gefängnis was designed by architect Heinrich Bause, and if you didn't know it was a prison, you'd swear it was either an early East German train station or a health-spa hotel.
In fact, the main building was used only for staff housing while the prisoners were relegated to less opulent quarters on one side. Note that it still serves as a prison and is considered a sensitive structure, so photography is not permitted.
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Altes Amtsgericht
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. Designed by Otto Ertl, the gabled Altes Amtsgericht building was constructed in 1908 as a private school. However, when the funds ran out, the government took over the project and requisitioned it as a magistrates' court.
In the 1960s it functioned as a school dormitory, and now houses municipal offices. Just so no-one can doubt its identity, the words 'Altes Amtsgericht' (German for 'Old Magistrates' Court') are painted across the front.
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Bahnhof
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The ornate railway station, or Bahnhof, built in 1901 as the terminal for the Kaiserliche Eisenbahn Verwaltung (Imperial Railway Authority), connected Swakopmund with Windhoek.
In 1910, when the railway closed down, the building assumed the role as main station for the narrow-gauge mine railway between Swakopmund and Otavi. It was declared a national monument in 1972 and now houses the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre.
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Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The impressive Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht was constructed in 1902 to serve as the district magistrates' court. It was extended in 1905 and again in 1945, when a tower was added. After WWI it was converted into the official holiday home of the territorial administrator. In keeping with that tradition, it's now the official Swakopmund residence of the executive president.
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Marine Memorial
Often known by its German name, Marine Denkmal, the Marine Memorial was commissioned in 1907 by the Marine Infantry in Kiel, Germany, and was designed by Berlin sculptor AM Wolff. It commemorates the German First Marine Expedition Corps, which helped beat back the Herero uprisings of 1904. As a national historical monument, it will continue to stand, but one has to wonder how long it will be before the Herero erect a memorial of their own.
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National Marine Aquarium
The waterfront National Marine Aquarium provides an excellent introduction to the cold offshore world in the South Atlantic. Most impressive is the tunnel through the largest aquarium, which allows close-up views of graceful rays, toothy sharks (you can literally count all the teeth!) and other little marine beasties found on Namibia's seafood platters. The fish are fed daily at 15:00, which makes an interesting spectacle.
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Dune Fields
A fascinating short hike will take you across the Swakop River to the large dune fields south of town. The dune formations and unique vegetation are great for exploring and with a dune cart or a sheet of masonite, you can spend hours sledding down the slopes. The Alternative Space (budget accommodation) loans dune carts to its guests, and several tour companies offer sandboarding and quadbiking.
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Hohenzollern Building
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The imposing baroque-style Hohenzollern Building was constructed in 1906 to serve as a hotel. Its rather outlandish décor is crowned by a fibreglass cast of Atlas supporting the world, which replaced the precarious cement version that graced the roof prior to renovations in 1988.
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African Cemetery
It's worth having a quick wander past the historical cemeteries beside the Swakop River. The neatly manicured Old German Cemetery dates from the colonial era, and the tombstones, which are still maintained by resident families, tell countless stories. The adjoining African cemetery makes an equally intriguing cultural statement, and has plenty of stories of its own.
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Old German Cemetery
It's worth having a quick wander past the historical cemeteries beside the Swakop River. The neatly manicured Old German Cemetery dates from the colonial era, and the tombstones, which are still maintained by resident families, tell countless stories. The adjoining African cemetery makes an equally intriguing cultural statement, and has plenty of stories of its own.
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Swakopmund Military Museum
For years, the prominent Damara tower (formerly a water tower) of the Woermannhaus provided a landmark for ships at sea as well as for traders arriving by ox wagon from the interior. It now affords a splendid panorama, and houses the Swakopmund Military Museum and a gallery of historic paintings. You can pay the admission and pick up a key at the library.
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Kristall Galerie
The architecturally astute Kristall Galerie features some of the planet's most incredible crystal formations, including the largest quartz crystal that has ever been found. The adjacent shop sells lovely mineral samples, crystal jewellery, and intriguing plates, cups and wine glasses that are carved from the local stone.
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Litfass-Saule
In 1855, the Berlin printer Litfass came up with the notion of erecting advertising pillars on German street corners. For the citizens of early Swakopmund, they became a common source of information and advertising. The remaining example, Litfass-Saule , sits on the corner of Daniel Tjongarero and Nathaniel Maxulili.
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OMEG Haus
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. Thanks to the narrow-gauge railway to the coast, the colonial company Otavi Minen und Eisenbahn Gesellschaft (OMEG), which oversaw the rich Otavi and Tsumeb mines, also maintained an office in Swakopmund, known as OMEG Haus .
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German Evangelical Lutheran Church
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. In 1906, architect Otto Ertl designed the neo-baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church to accommodate the growing Lutheran congregation of Dr Heinrich Vedder. Is still holds regular services.
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Deutsche-Afrika Bank Building
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The handsome neo-classical Deutsche-Afrika Bank Building was opened it 1909 as a branch office of the Deutsche-Afrika Bank. It's now a functioning Bank of Windhoek branch.
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Hansa Brewery
Aficionados of the amber nectar will want to visit the Hansa Brewery , which is the source of Swakopmund's favourite drop. Free tours - with ample opportunity to sample the product - run on Tuesday and Thursday, but advanced reservations are necessary.
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Franciscan Hospital
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. Built in 1907 by colonial architect Otto Ertl, the Franciscan Hospital was originally called the St Antonius Gebaude Hospital, and functioned continuously until 1987.
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Living Desert Snake Park
The Living Desert Snake Park houses an array of serpentine sorts. The owner knows everything you'd ever want to know - or not know - about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other widely misunderstood creatures. She feeds them at 16:00 daily.
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Old German School
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The 1912 baroque-style Old German School was the result of a 1912 competition, which was won by budding German architect Emil Krause.
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