Kolmannskuppe ghost town

In the middle of the Namibian desert, about 10 kilometers from the port city of Lüderitz, lies an abandoned ghost town called Kolmannskuppe. Diamonds used to be mined here, and in its heyday Kolmannskuppe was a bustling town with a lot of luxury. The richest town in Africa at the time, it was home to about 400 people, most of whom were German settlers from what was then German Southwest Africa. As quickly as the wealth arrived, it disappeared and after less than 30 years, most of the population was already gone. Today, only the sandy ruins and the history of a bygone era remain.

The city Kolmannskuppealso called Kolmanskop or Afrikaans "Kolmanskop", was named after the Nama (people in Namibia) Johnny Coleman, who got stuck here with his ox cart in a dune during a sandstorm in 1905. At that time Namibia was part of the German colony of German Southwest Africa and the Lüderitz Railway ran through the village. While working on the tracks, the railroad workers Zacharias Lewala and August Stauch found a diamond by pure chance, which was to become the first of many. As a result, there was a real diamond boom in the region and numerous German settlers settled in Kolmannskuppe. The surrounding area was declared a "restricted zone" and the right to mine diamonds was granted to the German colony alone. Many local peoples were displaced from their habitat and employed as miners in Kolmannskuppe. The village, which was actually only meant to be a small camp for diamond seekers, quickly became a luxurious mining town due to the new wealth. Although the surrounding area, apart from sand and heat, did not really have many natural resources to offer, handsome German-style stone houses were built for the town's approximately 400 inhabitants. In its heyday, the town even contained a hospital, a school, an electric plant, an ice factory, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, a small store, and even a building called the Ballroom, which contained a theater and a gymnasium. The materials for all the luxuries were transported to Kolmannskuppe either from Cape Town or from Germany and financed with the income from the diamonds. However, a large proportion of the workers were not fortunate enough to share in the luxury, but had to live in squalid accommodation outside the lively center. Although the city was considered the richest place in Africa during its peak, it was not destined to last forever. The supply of diamonds became increasingly scarce and mining slowly moved further south, causing many residents to relocate. When diamond mining in Kolmannskuppe ceased altogether in 1930, residents gradually abandoned their homes, leaving entire home furnishings behind, and eventually the town became an empty ghost town by the late 1950s.

Over the years, many of the buildings have fallen into disrepair and sand even piles up inside the once inhabited buildings. In the 1990s, the nearby town of Lüderitz experienced an economic boom and the tourism potential of Kolmannskuppe was discovered. Some buildings were faithfully restored and even furnished to create a kind of live museum. Since then, guided tours of the ghost town have been offered. However, access is strictly controlled, as diamonds are still mined in the nearby area and smuggling is to be prevented. Today, the ghost town is a reminder of a time long gone and the way resources were used then, while a bitter aftertaste because of the Atrocities of the colonial period persists. The desert has already reclaimed much of the land and, according to structural studies, continues to do so as buildings slowly deteriorate.

Kolmannskuppe can be visited today within the framework of accompanied tours. The tours are offered in English, Afrikaans and even German and always take place in the morning. Either way, you will need a permit to visit the ghost town, which can be purchased in advance. Once you arrive, you can listen to exciting stories on the tour or refresh yourself in the "Ghost Town Tavern". The restaurant, like some of the other buildings, features original furniture and decorations and offers small meals and drinks. You can also go on a little exploration of the ruins yourself, and the sand-filled rooms make for an exceptional photo opportunity. Kolmannskuppe can be reached by private vehicles or buses from Lüderitz on a long, straight road. A permit is required for entry and leaving the city limits to the south is not allowed due to diamond mining in the restricted zone.

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