COW - 002254 - CEO - T - Heritage Sites & Monuments

City of Windhoek

Vision: To enhance the quality of life of all our people

HERITAGE SITES
& MONUMENTS

HEROES ACRE (ON B1 SOUTH OF THE CITY)

Heroes’ Acre is a modern, state-of-the-art national symbol that was inaugurated by His Excellency
Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia, on 26th August 2002. Its construction was
motivated by the need to foster a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to pass on the
legacy to the future generations of Namibia.

INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL MUSEUM (Robert Mugabe Avenue)

The Independence Memorial Museum showcases Namibia’s history of anti-colonial resistance
and the national liberation struggle. It consists of three sections, Section 1 deals with colonial
repression, Section 2, gives insight on the liberation struggle and while Section 3 deals with
Road to Independence. It was inaugurated by Namibia’s former Dr President Hifikepunye
Pohamba on 20th March 2014.

GENOCIDE MASSACRE STATUE (Robert Mugabe Avenue)

This memorial statue was inaugurated on 20th March 2014 by former President Hifikepunye
Pohamba. The Genocide Memorial Statue is a remembrance of the atrocities that were
committed by the Germans against the Hereos and Namas in 1904. The broken chains portray
freedom from colonialization and oppression.

ELEPHANTS RELICS (Zoo Park on Independence Avenue)

A startling archaeological site between 5 000 & 20 000 years old of an elephant kill, with bones
and stone tools, was discovered in the Zoo Park. For many years the articles were exhibited in
a showcase in the Zoo Park, but were removed eventually and replaced with a 2m high stone
column sculpted by internationally known Namibian artist Dörte Berner. The original elephant
remains and stone tools are now stored at the National Museum of Namibia.

THE THREE STATUES (Parliament Buildings)

Reverend Theophilus Chief Hosea Kutako
Hamutumbangela (1870 - 1970)
(1917 - 1990)
He was a well-known as
He was instrumental in
forming the Owambo petitioner to the UN in 1953
People’s Organisation
(OPO) and later and he strongly rejected the
became a leading
SWAPO figure. He was separation on the Namibian
arrested on several people under South African Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi
occasions, poisoned Administration. One of the (1906 - 1978)
and became physically main streets in Windhoek is
and mentally impaired named after him as well as Kaptein was staunchly opposed to
until his death on 28th the Windhoek International the Bantu Education. “I don’t want a
November 1990. Airport. Other attractions portion of our land, I want the whole
close by: Parliament of Namibia”, was his answer to the
Buildings (47) and Gardens homeland policy of South African
and Office of the Prime regime. He joined SWAPO in 1977 a
few months before his death.
Minister.

OLD LOCATION CEMETERY (David Meroro Avenue)

This cemetery was used from 1927 to 1960 and was commissioned by the Windhoek
Municipality, because there was no space in the Gammams Cemetery which had been
in use since 1904. There is an historic mass grave of those who were shot and killed on 10
December 1959 for refusing to be relocated from the Old Location to Katutura.

LEUTWEIN CEMETERY (Robert Mugabe Avenue)

These are the oldest cemeteries in Windhoek and are situated on both sides of Robert Mugabe
Avenue. These cemeteries were first used in 1892 and were later expanded in 1904. Soldiers who
died during the Nama and Herero Wars are buried here. The graves of German officials, settlers,
civilians and members of the Witbooi clan are all to be found here. Victims of the influenza
epidemic are also buried in the western extension of the cemetery. Troops of the Union of South
Africa and German forces who died during WWI also lie buried in this cemetery.

GIBEON METEORITES (Post Street Mall)

The 600 million years old 30 Gibeon Meteorites mounted on steel columns in Post Street Mall
are extra-terrestrial (originating in space). Between 1911-13, Dr Paul Range, the State Geologists
for the Government of German SWA, collected 37 meteor fragments in the Gibeon area.
Their weight ranged between 195-506 kg. Two were stolen and four were donated to various
institutions for research purposes. Since the installation of the meteorite fountain, another
meteorite has disappeared. All pieces are thought to be part of one large ore, with a mass
of over 17 tonnes, which fragmented long before it entered the atmosphere. The Meteorites
were proclaimed a National Monument on 15 February 1950.

NAMA WAR MEMORIAL (Zoo Park)

This memorial serves to honour the
German soldiers and their Namibian
allies who died in the 1893-1894
Nama uprising against German
colonial domination. The obelisk
with its gilt eagle, including the cast-
iron fencing and concrete podium,
is given a rating of 85 on the NIA
Index as an A Class monument.
The monument carries the following
inscription: “In commemoration of
the heroes who died during the war
against Witbooi clan during 1893
and 1894”.

ALTE FESTE (Robert Mugabe Ave.)

One of the oldest buildings in Windhoek, it served as headquarters for the Schutztruppe until
1915. It served as headquarters for the South African troops after 1915, and then as a hostel
for the Windhoek High School. It was declared a national monument on 9 January 1957. It
now houses the State Museum, where the historic Independence Collection, reflecting events
leading up to the Independence of Namibia can be seen.

CHRISTUSKIRCHE (1907-10 - c/o Fidel Castro Ruz & Robert Mugabe Ave.)

The Chistus Kirche was designed by Gottlieb Redecker and was officially consecrated on 26
October 1910 by Reverend Olpp of the Rhemish Mission. It is the oldest Evangelical Lutheran
church in Namibia. The design of the church is based on the idea of a basilica. It was built in
the neo-Romanic style, but also shows the influence of art nouveau. The Christus Kirche was
proclaimed a National Monument on 29 November 1974.

KUDU MEMORIAL (Independence Ave. & John Meinert Str.)

The life size kudu
statue was donated
to the City of
Windhoek by Mr. E.
Behnsen. The statue
was cast by Professor
Behn in Germany
and was erected on
2 December 1960.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER (Robert Mugabe Ave.)

It was built as the Legislative Assembly for white people. The ground floor depicts the mineral
and geological riches of Namibia. The first floor displays the marine life of Namibia. The plant
and animal life dolfwood carvings on the second floor were carved by artist Ruth Wolter. On
the eastern wall is a 12m x 4m mural on the development of Namibia, by Kobus Esterhysen.
On the opposite wall is a mural by local artists that portrays the Independence struggle of the
Republic of Namibia, which was painted after Independence.

SUPREME COURT OF NAMIBIA (Reverend Michael Scott Str.)

The Supreme Court accommodates eight Supreme Court Judges and officers and its function
is solely to deal with Constitutional matters. It was designed by Effi Lentin Architects and built by
China Jiantsu International. It is the first Government building with an indigenous garden and
it was built in Egyptian style.

TINTENPALAST & GARDENS (1913) – Robert Mugabe Ave.)

It was designed by Redecker and built by Sander & Kock, the Government Building has housed
a series of successive governments. Today, in independence Namibia, it houses the National
Assembly. The Garden was designed by Architects Zirkler and Kerby. Three statues of anti-
colonialist leaders, made by UNAM Professor Hercules Viljoen, were unveiled in the Tintenpalast
gardens in December 2001.

TURNHALLE (Bahnhof Street)

The Turnhalle was used as a gymnastics hall until after World War II, and in the early 1950’s was
sold to the Government. On 1 September 1975, representatives of the eleven ethnic groups
of Namibia met to form the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance.

WINDHOEK STATION (Bahnhof Str.)

The first train that arrived in Windhoek was in 1902, during that time the station building was a
simple corrugated iron shed, with no style. The middle and southern wing was built in 1912. The
northern wing was added in 1929 by the South African Railways, keeping strictly to the original
style.

THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL (Werner List Street)

Its aesthetic appearance brought about its proclamation as a national monument. The of-
ficial proclamation text reads as follows: This twin tower cathedral, with its neo-Renaissance
features, is of particular architectural importance. The façade of this right-angled building is
particularly impressing with its high peak towers on both sides of the central part with its three
arched entrances. The rustic work of brown stone is also striking.

OLD PRISON BUILDING (Goethe Street)

The original building was commissioned
by the German government. This was
erected between 1906 and 1907 and was
used a prison until 1963. The foundation
is made of stone in lime mortar. The two
towers consist of a guardroom, prison
kitchen and a store room. The original
building consisted of two towers which
consisted of two quarters for married prison
wardens, two kitchens and a storeroom.
The prison had 35 single holding cells and
5 communal ones.

EARTH SCIENCE MUSEUM (Aviation Road)

A museum of natural science contains displays of minerals, fossils, and meteorites, with expla-
nations of their geological context. Namibia’s mining activities and geology are depicted with
collections of maps, ore examples and photographs.

TEN-MAN HOUSE (Dr AB May Street)

This building was commissioned and constructed between 1906 and 1907 by the German
colonial government. It was built to accommodate ten single bachelors who worked for the
administration at the time. The building was designed by Gottlieb Redecker and built by Hobe,
Hoch and Matheis. The foundations are of clay and the walls are of unbaked clay. The building
still has its original corrugated iron roof.

ERKRATH (Independence Avenue)

The Erkrath Building was constructed as a residence and business premises of Ein- und Verkauf-
sgenossenschaft Gmbh. The premises were bought in 1910 by Verkaufsgenossenschaft Gmbh
and the building was constructed by Sander and Koch. The upper floor was used by the firm’s
employees and the ground floor was used for the storage of meat and other fresh produce.

GATHEMANN BUILDING (Independence Avenue)

This building was constructed in 1913 as a residence and business site for Heinrich Gathemann,
Mayor of Klein Windhoek and member of the Legislative Council. Another building was
designed and erected by Sanders for Mr Gathemann between 1927 and 1928. It was built to
blend in well with the previous one. Both these buildings are made of stone and corrugated
iron.

KRONPRINZ HOTEL BUILDING (Independence Avenue)

The structure was designed and built by Sanders and was completed in 1902. It was extended
a few times, first in 1908 and again in 1920. It stands out as one of the few original building on
Independence Avenue today.

CASTLES IN WINDHOEK

As you leave Klein Windhoek there are three castles on your left. The most visible is Schwer-
insburg, which was built in 1891. Later it was a restaurant before becoming a private home.
Today it is the residence of the Italian Ambassador to Namibia. Sanderburg is the smallest of
the three, whilst Heinitzburg is the only public one. Built in 1914, the Heinitzburg is now a hotel.

OWAMBO CAMPAIGN WAR MEMORIAL (Bahnhof Street)

This memorial was erected by members of the South African Army in 1919 in memory of their
comrades killed on the 6th of February 1917 near Ehole (Oihole) in a battle against uprising of
King Mandume Ndemufayo of Kwanyama. The chief depleted all of his firepower and com-
mitted suicide rather than surrendering. His head was cut off. According to a legend his head
is buried under the memorial.

ELIZABETH HOUSE (Storch Street- Namibia University of Science & Technology)

In the Elisabeth House, was created as an architectural symbiosis of two different buildings
and combined into one complex. This structure is unique in Namibia. The official gazette
proclaiming the building as a national monument provides the following background: “The
Elisabeth House was erected on the initiative of the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft (German
Colonial Company) as maternity home and was up to and including 1981 used as such. The
Women’s Association of the Red Cross for Germans Overseas administered the maternity ward
and between 1908 and 1981, 12 669 babies were born in this ward. The building, which was
erected in 1907-08 was named after Duchess Elisabeth zu Mecklenburg”, wife of the President
of the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft.

OLD BREWERY BUILDING (Tal Street )

This old brewery was once the largest business concern in the in the capital in the 1900’s. It
was designed in 1914. Some of the original installations are still in place. Today, it houses the
Warehouse Theatre for small concert and theatrical plays.

Issued by: Contact Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer

Office of the Chief Executive Officer Office of the Chief Executive Officer Tourism Officer: Information Management
Olehile Thataone
Corporate Communications, Marketing, Tourism and Head of Section: Tourism
Customer Care Grace Pujatura Tel: +264 61 290 2401

Tel: +264 61 290 2365 / 2044 Tel: +264 61 290 2093 Fax: +264 61 290 2546

Fax: +264 61 290 2344 Fax: +264 61 290 2546 Email: [email protected]

E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]