Altes Gefängnis, Prison and national monument in Swakopmund, Namibia
The Altes Gefängnis is a former prison from the colonial period in Swakopmund featuring thick stone walls, barred windows, and physically separated areas for staff and prisoners. The structure comprises multiple sections that reflect the functional needs of a detention facility from that era.
The building was designed in 1909 by German architect Heinrich Bause during the early German colonial period in Namibia. Its defensive architectural elements were typical of prison construction in that era.
The building shows how prisoners and staff lived and worked during the colonial period through its physical layout and separate sections. Visitors can understand the daily routines and social divisions that shaped life within these walls.
The building is located in central Swakopmund and is easy to reach on foot from the beach and nearby attractions. The paths around and through the facility are accessible, and sturdy footwear is recommended especially during wet weather.
The structure was officially protected as a national monument in 1973 and has been carefully maintained since then. This preservation allows visitors to see an important example of how colonial detention systems operated in Namibia.
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