The pointed tower
A dark tower above bare rock.
Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · David Brossard — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Balou46 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Felsenkirche, or Church on the Rock, is a small Lutheran church on the rocky Diamond Hill in Lüderitz, and the symbol of this coastal town in southern Namibia. Its pointed tower rises above bare rock, and the site opens onto views of the harbour and the Atlantic. The German name comes from its position on the rock. It was paid for by donations from Germany amounting to 46,000 gold marks and built to plans by Albert Bause in neo-Gothic style. The foundation stone was laid on 19 November 1911, and it was inaugurated on 4 August 1912. The altar window was a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II. It is now a national monument and belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. From outside you see a dark stone tower beside pale walls, pointed windows and sharp grey rocks around the base. Behind it spread the town's colourful roofs and the harbour bay, and the scene looks best in morning light or at sunset. Lüderitz is known for its old colonial architecture, including some Art Nouveau buildings. The church stands about 100 m from Goerke House and about 9.8 km from the abandoned town of Kolmanskop in a straight line. Sources say it opens daily for just a few hours in the afternoon, so plan around that. It is often windy here, so bring a jacket and watch your footing on the rocks. Dress modestly if you go inside.
A dark tower above bare rock.
Colourful roofs and the bay from the hill.
A gift from Emperor Wilhelm II.
Diamond Hill, Lüderitz, Namibia
Sources say daily for a few hours in the afternoon, so confirm locally.
Yes, they stand side by side on Diamond Hill.
