The Windhoek Guide - Your Guide to Namibia's Capital

In some areas Windhoek still houses colonial buildings from the German era beginning of 1900.

 

The Gathemannhaus is a colonial building complex (including the Erkrath House) on Independence Avenue right in the centre of Windhoek. It was build in 1913 by Heinrich Gathemann and extended about 15 years later. Since that time it houses shops on the lower floor and apartments and a restaurant on the top floor.

 

The Turnhalle (sports hall), 22 x 14 m in size, was built in 1909 and was home of the Turnverein Windhoek (Windhoek Gymnastics Club). More well known is the building for the Turnhallen Konferenz (conference) that was held here between different groups to gather for negotiations around the independence of South-West Africa. The Turnhallen Allianz (Alliance) is named after this Turnhalle and used to be one of the largest and most influential parties in an independent Namibia. After independence the hall was used for the National Council and houses today the highest court of the SADC.

 

Other historical buildings are:

• Dernburg House
• Elisabeth House
• House of Lords
• Kaiserliche Realschule
• Kronprinz Hotel
• Old Brewery, see Namibia Craft Centre
• Old Jail
• Orban Schule
• Rhenish Mission Church
• Von Estorff House
• Zehnmannhaus

 

Photo: public domain 2004 Freddy Weber