Witness History
The 'ghost town' of Namibia
Mar 31, 2025
Dieter Huyssen, a descendant of Kolmanskop's founders, shares heartfelt family memories of this once-thriving diamond town in Namibia. He details the rise of Kolmanskop during the diamond rush and its lavish lifestyle, contrasting it with the eerie silence of its current ghostly state, overwhelmed by the desert sands. The story delves into the architectural wonders brought by German influence and reflects on the emotional connections to abandoned places, highlighting how they shape our understanding of history and identity.
09:54
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Quick takeaways
- Kolmanskoppe's rapid rise due to diamond mining in the early 1900s became a stark contrast to its eventual abandonment to the desert.
- The architectural legacy of Kolmanskoppe illustrates its once-wealthy status, featuring German influences and modern amenities like an X-ray equipped hospital.
Deep dives
The Forgotten Town of Kolmanskoppe
Kolmanskoppe, once a vibrant town in Namibia, became prominent due to its diamond mining in the early 20th century. Originally established because of a diamond rush that began in 1908, the town flourished with the influx of workers and wealth generated from the gems. Its architecture, heavily influenced by German styles, showcased buildings like shops, a post office, and even the first hospital in the Southern Hemisphere equipped with an X-ray machine. However, just 48 years after its peak, the town was abandoned, succumbing to the encroaching desert.
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