Day 78 Sun April 2, Luderwitz, Namibia
Walking Tour of Luderitz (LUD-001)
April 02, 2023
Port: Luderitz
Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 2 1/2 hours)
Tour Description
Explore beguiling Luderitz, settled by a German tobacco merchant over a century ago.
Appreciate the art nouveau Goerke Haus, built for a German diamond entrepreneur.
See an arresting stained glass window donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II at the Felsenkirche Evangelical Lutheran church.
Learn about German colonization, the diamond industry and Namibia’s flora and fauna at the Luderitz Museum.
Elect to remain in charming Luderitz for further sightseeing following your tour, if you choose.
Stroll through colonial Luderitz and admire spectacular landmarks built during the beginning of the 20th century, when diamonds were found nearby, and roam a captivating museum. Absorb the German ambiance of bayside Luderitz, discovered by a Portuguese explorer in 1488 but not settled until some four centuries later, when German tobacco merchant Adolf Luderitz purchased much of the surrounding land. You’ll learn that the sleepy port soon became an important German supply post and grew dramatically after diamonds were unearthed in the nearby Namib Desert. Approaching prominent Diamond Hill, discover Goerke Haus, an extravagant mansion filled with period furnishings that was built for diamond entrepreneur Hans Goerke in an art nouveau style with German and African themes. You’ll see Felsenkirche, an Evangelical Lutheran church built in 1912 with offerings from German citizens and renowned for a stained glass panel donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. At the engaging Luderitz Museum, browse fascinating artifacts and learn about Germany’s colonization efforts, the diamond industry and Namibia’s flora and fauna. Following your tour, choose to remain in town, if you wish, to further immerse yourself in intriguing Luderitz.
HELPFUL HINTS
Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Carry bottled water, as you may require hydration.
Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
This tour includes 2 ½ hours of moderate walking. There will be some steps and inclines to negotiate.
Town grew when diamonds were discovered nearby
Felsenkirche Evangelical Lutheran church.
Stained glass window donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II
Goerke Haus
Goerke Haus/Goerkehaus, the residence of Hans Goerke, manager and co-owner of the early diamond umbrella company, erected 1909–1911. It is a national monument. Hans built this house for his wife. She did not like the weather in Luderitz and they moved back to Germany after 14 months.
The guide told us about many of the buildings in the neighborhood. I enjoyed looking at the houses built in the early 1900’s and many still have the original building materials
Luderitz Museum offers natural history such as shells and birds. There are some artifacts of Namibian people.
A mining exhibit and pictures going back to the 1800's were interesting.
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