SWAKOPMUND, A PIECE OF GERMANY IN NAMIBIA

 

The first thing that strikes you when you enter Swakopmund after walking hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel roads is the stillness. You arrive sweaty and dusty after crossing the desert almost alone so far and suddenly the landscape changes completely. The road is paved, hundreds of cars appear, there are traffic lights, shops, supermarkets and little houses, many low houses of European inspiration that tell you that you have reached what was the first. German colony when Namibia was part of the German Empire.

Not only does Swakopmund have that German colony aura, but he also seems to be proud of his past. In fact, all the buildings and structures they built are still standing (and working); like the Lutheran church, the train station (now hotel), the loading dock, schools, hospitals, gardens ... it looks more like a Baltic city than Namibia. And, while it sounds contradictory, that is its main charm.

That and the fog. A thick fog that comes directly from the depths of the Atlantic, penetrates the Namib desert and envelops the entire city, making it look ghostly at dusk, as if you were in 19th century London.

All this and more is Swakodmund.

Welcome.

The first thing that strikes you when you enter Swakopmund after hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel roads is the peace and quiet. Arriving sweaty and dusty after crossing the desert almost alone to get here, suddenly the road becomes asphalt, hundreds of cars appear, there are traffic lights, shops, supermarkets and little houses, many low houses of European inspiration. tell you that you have reached what was the first German colony when Namibia was part of the German Empire.

Not only does Swakopmund retain that German colony aura, but he seems to be proud of his past. In fact, all the buildings and structures they built are still standing (and functional), such as the Lutheran Church, the train station (now hotel), the loading dock, schools, hospitals, gardens ... it looks more like a city Baltic than Namibian. And while it may seem counterintuitive, this is its main charm.

That and the fog. A thick fog that comes directly from the deep Atlantic, penetrates the Namib Desert and envelops the entire city, giving it a ghostly appearance at night, just like in 19th century London.

Swakodmund is all this and more.

Welcome to the city.

For better or for worse, Swakopmund's history is typical of any colonial city. The difference is that they knew how to reinvent themselves and, far from seeking revenge, they took advantage of their German past and now the city is a tourist hub in this part of Africa.

Swakopmund was founded in 1892 by Captain Curt von Francois, due to increased traffic between Germany and its German colony in South West Africa, since the only existing port, Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometers further south, belonged to the United Kingdom. .

Swakopmund grew rapidly to become the main port for the entire territory and was granted municipal status in 1909. Numerous import and export companies opened branches in the city. After World War I all activities moved to Walvis Bay, with many businesses closing and the population rapidly declining.

At the end of the 20th century, the city saw its economy resurface thanks to the boom in tourism.

Today it is possibly the best urban landscape in Namibia with an authentic Art Nouveau architecture feast that resembles the set of a Hollywood movie.

Swakopmund's history, for better or for worse, is like any other colonial city. The difference here is that they managed to reinvent themselves and, far from taking revenge, they took advantage of their German past and the city is now the tourist center of this part of Africa.

Swakopmund was founded in 1892 by Captain Curt von François, due to the increasing traffic between Germany and his colony in German South West Africa, since the only existing port, that of Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometers further south, was in possession of the United Kingdom.

Swakopmund grew rapidly, becoming the main port of the entire territory and was granted municipal status in 1909. Numerous import and export companies opened branches in the city. After the First World War, all activities were transferred.

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