The sheer isolation of Lüderitz, the curious way in which its colonial-style buildings cling to the rocks
overlooking the bay, on some days a deep iridescent blue, on others grey and stormy, the crisp fresh climate, fishing boats bobbing up and down on the Atlantic horizon, penguins and
seals diving beneath the waves, give the town a curious other-worldly allure. Tourists are slowly but surely succumbing to this appeal, and developments such as the Lüderitz Nest
Hotel and Waterfront Development are attracting ever more visitors to the town.
Lüderitz was initially referred to as Angra Pequena, meaning Little Bay, by the Portuguese, whose
navigator Bartolomeu Dias erected a stone cross on Dias Point on July 25, 1488. Heinrich Vogelsang, agent of the German merchant from Bremen, Adolf Lüderitz, landed at Angra Pequena
on April 9, 1883, to establish a trading station. Following negotiations with the Khoikhoi chief, Joseph Fredericks from Bethanie, he purchased the land within an 8-km radius of Angra
Pequena. In April 1884 this land became part of the protectorate of the German Empire, marking the beginning of German colonial control in Namibia, referred to then as
Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika.
Distinctive architecture
Lüderitz is renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture. Set around the bay, with
their gables, winding stairwells, verandas, turrets and bay and bow windows, these buildings have a unique character of their own. One of the most striking is Goerkehaus on the slopes
of Diamond Mountain, built in 1909. The Felsenkirche (Evangelical Lutheran Church) close by, consecrated in 1912, looks especially striking in the late afternoon when the
stained-glass windows are illuminated by the setting sun.
Other buildings are the old Station Building (1914), the old Post Office (1908) and the Turnhalle (1912 -13). In the
"old town" are Kreplin House (1909) and Troost House (1909). The Lüderitz Museum was founded as a private collection by Friedrich Eberlanz, who arrived in Lüderitz in 1914.
The focus in the museum is on the early history of the town and aspects of the surrounding desert.
Beaches, bays and birds
It is not unusual to see a jackal trotting
along the beach, a group of springbok close to the sea, or an occasional brown hyena. An attractive plant in the surroundings is the Bushman's candle, its pink flowers contrasting
vividly against the black rock. Unusual species of dwarf succulents grow in the area, such as the small but intriguing lithops, colloquially known as Hottentot's buttocks. The
Lüderitz Peninsula is characterised by numerous bays, lagoons and unspoilt stretches of beach. At Dias Point a replica of Bartolomeu's padriio can be seen, while a plaque on Shark
Island commemorates the German merchant, Adolf Lüderitz. Agate Beach and Grossebucht are popular with bathers, and at Sturmvogelbucht are the remains of an old Norwegian whaling
station.
The Lüderitz area is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoon. When sailing in the bay,
seals and dolphins can be seen playing in the water. The rocky coastline has many beaches and numerous small bays and reefs to explore. For anglers favoured species are galjoen,
steenbras, dassie and rock lobster.
Popular windsurfing areas are Grossebucht and Grosse Lagoon. A Snoek Derby takes place during the long weekend in May, a boardsailing
competition during the Easter weekend, and in August LUKA (Lüderitz Karneval), for which there is a DC6 flight from Windhoek. For golfers there is an interesting desert course,
described by locals as "rocky with oiled greens". Clubs can be hired at the local Golf club. |
