Alte Feste
Encyclopedia
The Alte Feste is a fortress and museum in downtown
Windhoek
, the capital of Namibia
. It was designed by Curt von François
and made provision for an inner courtyard with high walls and accommodation for the troops on the inside, as well as four towers. Set on a hill above the city, the Fort was completed in 1890 during the German colonization of Namibia and is the oldest standing building in the city. The fort was never involved in any military action.
The Alte Feste was home to the imperial German
Schutztruppe
(colonial military force) until 1915. With the occupation of Windhoek by South African Union troops in March 1915, it served as military headquarters for the South African Union troops.The Alte Feste was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a hostel for the Windhoek High School
in 1935 and was declared a National Monument in 1957. The building was renovated extensively in 1963 and again in 1986. Colonial Windhoek was developed around the Fort.
Windhoek Central Business District
Windhoek Central Business District is the inner city area of Windhoek, capital of Namibia. It is surrounded by the suburbs of Windhoek West and Hochland Park in the west, Windhoek-North in the north, Eros, Klein-Windhoek, Luxushügel and Auasblick in the east, and Suiderhof and Southern Industrial...
Windhoek
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
, the capital of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. It was designed by Curt von François
Curt von Francois
Curt Karl Bruno von François was a military and political figure in the early days of German colonialism in Africa. He is remembered as one of the pioneers of German Southwest Africa ....
and made provision for an inner courtyard with high walls and accommodation for the troops on the inside, as well as four towers. Set on a hill above the city, the Fort was completed in 1890 during the German colonization of Namibia and is the oldest standing building in the city. The fort was never involved in any military action.
The Alte Feste was home to the imperial German
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
Schutztruppe
Schutztruppe
Schutztruppe was the African colonial armed force of Imperial Germany from the late 19th century to 1918, when Germany lost its colonies. Similar to other colonial forces, the Schutztruppe consisted of volunteer European commissioned and non-commissioned officers, medical and veterinary officers. ...
(colonial military force) until 1915. With the occupation of Windhoek by South African Union troops in March 1915, it served as military headquarters for the South African Union troops.The Alte Feste was used for a more peaceful purpose when it was converted into a hostel for the Windhoek High School
Windhoek High School
Windhoek High School is a school in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It is one of the oldest schools in the country.- History :With its 90-year tradition of proven academic excellence, Windhoek High School is rated as one of the top 100 schools in Namibia and ranked number 93.- Facilities :The...
in 1935 and was declared a National Monument in 1957. The building was renovated extensively in 1963 and again in 1986. Colonial Windhoek was developed around the Fort.