Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Christuskirche
( Fidel Castro St)
Windhoek's best-recognised landmark, and something of an unofficial
symbol of the city, this German Lutheran church stands on a traffic island and lords it over
the city centre. This unusual building, which was constructed from local sandstone in
1907, was designed by architect Gottlieb Redecker in conflicting neo-Gothic and art nou-
veau styles. The resulting design looks strangely edible, and is somewhat reminiscent of a
whimsical gingerbread house. The altarpiece, the
Resurrection of Lazarus,
is a copy of the
renowned work by Rubens. To view the interior, pick up the key during business hours
from the nearby church office on Peter Müller St.
CHURCH
NOTABLE BUILDING
Tintenpalast
( 288 9111;
www.parliament.gov.na
; tours 9am-12pm & 2-4pm Mon-Fri)
The
former administrative headquarters of German South West Africa have been given a new
mandate as the Namibian parliament building. As a fitting homage to the bureaucracy of
government, the name of the building means 'Ink Palace', in honour of all the ink spent
on typically excessive official paperwork.
The building is remarkable mainly for its construction from indigenous materials. The
surrounding gardens, which were laid out in the 1930s, include an olive grove and a prop-
er bowling green. In the front, have a look at Namibia's first post-independence monu-
ment, a bronze-cast statue of the Herero chief Hosea Kutako, who was best known for his
vehement opposition to South African rule.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Gathemann's Complex
( Independence Ave)
Along Independence Ave are three colonial-era buildings, all de-
signed by the famous architect Willi Sander. The one furthest south was built in 1902 as
the Kronprinz Hotel, which later joined Gathemann House (now home to a gourmet res-
taurant) to function as a private business. The most notable of the three is the Erkrath
Building, which was constructed in 1910 as a private home and business.
Turnhalle
HISTORIC BUILDING
