135 years ago, the Bremen businessman Lüderitz founded the first German city in southwest Africa. This collection of corrugated ironworks soon became a real city, with playful Wilhelminian style villas and wide, lantern-lit streets. At that time, the bay was the only protected harbor on Germany's southwest African coast. The imperial founders wanted to build the capital of their new colony here, but then the administration was transferred to Windhoek, the heart of the colony, surrounded by farmland and important intersections. Lüderitz fell into the offside. The diamond town Kolmanskuppe got even worse. The diamond fever that spawned this colonial settlement did not last long. In 1915, the South Africans took over the area, 1938 closed the mine, 1956 left the last official the place. Then came the shifting dunes. Of the once richest city in Africa, only a few houses remain, some meters high filled with fine, golden sand. The desert would have taken back the buildings long ago, they would not receive the Namdeb Diamond Corporation for the tourists.
Also worth seeing is the rock church from 1911, which overlooks Lüderitz and characterizes the city as well as the Goerke House with the sundial and the bright blue roofs. Overall, Lüderitz is a charming town with beautiful buildings, many cafes and restaurants and a lively harbor in front of an impressive backdrop.
Translated by Google •
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