Kolmanskop, Ghost town in Namib Desert, Namibia
Kolmannskuppe is an abandoned mining town in the Namib Desert composed of numerous structures including residential buildings, a hospital, a school, and a theater. Sand has infiltrated most buildings through windows and doors, partially filling interior spaces up to ceiling height.
German diamond hunters established the town in 1908 following a diamond discovery. It quickly became one of the world's major diamond-producing centers before the mines were gradually abandoned mid-century.
The buildings display early 20th-century German architectural style with clean lines and balanced proportions adapted to desert conditions. You can see furniture and decorations in the rooms that show how residents once lived here.
The site is accessible daily from the nearby town of Lüderitz. Bring plenty of water as there is little shade on the grounds and desert heat can be intense.
Many rooms contain personal items left behind by former residents, including old photographs, dinnerware, and toys. These intimate relics offer a rare glimpse into daily life in a desert settlement.
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