Damara Tower
A lookout for arriving ships.
Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Olga Ernst — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0
Woermann House is one of the oldest buildings in Swakopmund and among its most visited landmarks, with a yellow half-timbered front and a tall tower. It now holds a library, a souvenir shop and a tourist information office, so people step in for everyday reasons while taking in its history. It was built in 1894 to designs by the architect Friedrich Höft for the Hamburg merchant and shipowner Adolph Woermann and his trading company. The complex has a main house, an inner courtyard and the Damara Tower, used as a lookout for arriving ships, a water tower and a flagpole. Offices were added in 1903 and 1904. From 1924 to 1972 it served as a youth hostel, it was declared a monument in 1971, and it opened to the public after major restoration on 22 October 1976. From the street you see half-timbering and yellow fence posts, with the Damara Tower behind, its windows and grey roof rising above. The courtyard has arched corridors, a brick floor and soft light. At the stairwell's roofline, two German sayings speak of leaving discord at the door and of harmony lasting within these walls. The house lies about 400 m from Swakopmund Lighthouse and 300 m from the town jetty in a straight line, so it fits easily into a walking tour. Check the information office's hours and whether the tower can be climbed when you visit. People use this building daily, so keep your voice down near the library.
A lookout for arriving ships.
Half-timbering and coloured fence posts.
Calm corridors and soft light.
Central Swakopmund, Namibia
We could not confirm this, so ask at the information office inside.
A library, a souvenir shop and a tourist information office.
