Lüderitz

The dry, rocky, quiet and windy town of Lüderitz is made up of a friendly multi-racial community that welcomes tourists and passers-by with warm hearts. Here is the story of this enigmatic little town.It started with a kingIn the year 1588, King John II of Portugal sent an expedition into the South Atlantic under the leadership of Bartholomeu Diaz. On this voyage, two small ships and a larger supply ship discovered Angra Pequena, translated as 'small bay' in which the coastal town of Lüderitz today stands. The waters were rough and seafarers generally avoided the area until around 1884, when German explorer Adolf Lüderitz ignored the warnings not to sail to Lüderitz. He mounted a sea-going expedition to Angra Pequena and vanished without a trace. German authorities who found themselves in the country then declared the town as Lüderitzbucht “Lüderitz Bay” in honour of the forever-missing pioneer. Today Lüderitz is well known for hosting the Crayfish Festival and now recently also the Harders Cup which has people from all corners of the country head there. The majority of the town's historic sites are well taken care of, which makes it a great tourist destination pulling people from as far as Germany, France and Portugal. A concentration campThe concentration camp situated on Shark Island is one of the strongest tourist attractions. Around 1905, German authorities established the camp where many Herero and Nama people lost their lives. Shark Island Concentration Camp also known as Death Island was used by the German empire during the Herero and Nama genocide of 1904–1908 where many prisoners of war lost their lives. According to recorded history, Shark Island contained the captured survivors of the guerrilla units that had been led by Cornelius Fredericks and Hendrik Witbooi. The prisoners died of hunger and exposure. Today one can do many activities at the site including camping, have a great view to the ocean and town at large, go fishing, view sea animals like seals or simply have a good time with friends whilst braaiing. The island accommodates both day visitors and those that want to stay the night. Entrance is free. To get there without a car one has to pay a fee of N$15 taxi fare. A ghost townIn 1897 the captain of an unknown ship, a certain R. Jones, returned to Cape Town with a parcel of diamonds which he claimed he had found on an island off the coast of South West Africa. Unfortunately Jones passed on before he could visit the island again for more riches. In April 1908, the cache of diamonds were discovered between Lüderitz and Aus when a railway inspector August Stauch asked his workers to keep their eyes open for shining stones. Lucky chap Zacharias Lewala found a stone and gave it to Stauch who identified it as a diamond. Lewala was awarded a horse for his efforts and Stauch took out his first prospecting license on 8 April 1908. The diamond rush which followed revealed treasure beyond Stauch's wildest dreams and all the prospectors settled in Kolmanskop which today is a ghost town, which is slowly being buried under the shifting sand dunes. Residents include brown hyaenas. Kolmanskop was one of the biggest diamond towns in the sub-region and became the company headquarters after Sir Ernest Oppenheimer formed the Consolidated Mines Company. The town had a total population of 300 people with recreational clubs, a dance hall, a gymnastics centre, hospital, school and a shop just to mention a few. The first X-ray machine in southern Africa was housed at Kolmanskop. A short train was used by housewives to get about in the town of Kolmanskop and to deliver fresh water, ice blocks, bread and fizzy drinks to every household every morning. Water was quite a commodity and was more expensive than beer which was already being brewed in the town. Tourists are encouraged to be on the lookout for diamonds when on tours and can keep 70% of their worth whilst the rest goes to Namdeb. Many workers and contractors tried and failed to smuggle diamonds out of Kolmanskop. Some of the methods attempted include tying sacks of diamonds on pigeons and swallowing diamonds, but the majority reflected on the X ray machine. These were all offenses punishable by law. There are guided tours around the ghost town of Kolmanskop for N$85 and free tours over the weekend. Built on a rockThe Felsenkirche or 'rock church' located on Diamond Hill is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Namibia that was sanctified in 1912. After the diamond rush of 1908 and the completion of the railway line to Aus, Lüderitz became a permanent home to a significant number of German settlers. As a result, a number of churches were built. Felsenkirche, one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Namibia, is a national monument since 1978. The church is located within walking distance of town or alternatively one can take a cab for N$10. Have a cuppa For a quick yet delicious breakfast before one tours the dusty town of Lüderitz, tucked away on the Bismarck Street, Diaz Coffee Shop offers a home away from home type of sensation. One can order breakfast and wait for it whilst admiring historic drawings on the wall and their vintage collectable items. The coffee shop also has a peculiar Oyster bar with a witty use of fishing nets and buoys as decoration where one can sit with friends and catch up over a glass of wine. Take me homeAnd just before you pack your bags to leave, just in front of the Waterfront Development there are artists selling handmade Namibian curios and other little treasures to take for loved ones such as earrings, handbags and key holders to mention a few. June Shimuoshili

Lüderitz

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Lüderitz

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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